of the Old World. 31 



round the breakfast table, equipped in leathers and 

 boots. Some of the old hands had also sambur 

 (elk) skin jackets, and all wore hunting-caps. We 

 were soon in the saddle, and after a couple of 

 hours' canter by the light of the moon, arrived 

 at our tents, which were pitched under a stately 

 banian, under whose widely spreading arms some 

 sixty Arabs were picketted, each being groomed 

 by his respective syce (horsekeeper). 



Coffee, brandy and soda water, and cheroots, &c., 

 were handed round, and half an-hour was allowed 

 for the saddling, when a messenger came from 

 the head man of the village (who was with the 

 beaters) to say that the hogs were undisturbed, 

 and that all was in readiness. 



The tree under which our encampment was 

 pitched must have been of great age, for under- 

 neath were the ruins of a small Hindoo temple, 

 which bore traces of great antiquity. Some of the 

 shoots of the trunk had insinuated themselves 

 amid the masonry, and appeared to grow out of 

 the roof. 



The scene around was very picturesque ; craggy 

 hills were towering above the sea of forest in every 

 direction, and a beautiful lake lay between us arid 

 the village, on which water-fowl of different kinds 

 were distinctly heard. Partridges were calling all 

 around as we mounted, and the first streaks of 

 dawn were visible in the East. 



