of the Old World. 325 



half-way up the hill, and had left them undisturbed, 

 so that we should most likely find them near the 

 place on the morrow. 



After having dined substantially upon a prime 

 haunch of roast vension, and grilled sucking-pig, we 

 adjourned to our camp-fire, which was lighted in a 

 deep cleft of the rock where it could not be well 

 seen at any distance from the surrounding jungle; 

 and here we found the gang and all our people 

 assembled, according to their usual custom when out 

 in the jungle on a " Shekar " expedition. The 

 Gooroo and Yeerapah were enlivening the party 

 with some extemporary chanting, and at the same 

 time accompanying themselves on the " sitarr " and 

 " sarinda,"* whilst Chineah and the Coolies performed 

 on tomtoms, and Eamasawmy gave occasional dis- 

 cordant flourishes on the cholera horn which we were 



obliged to decline, as B declared it would make 



his dinner disagree with him. 



As we took our seats on a carpet spread over a 

 heap of dry leaves which had been prepared for us, 

 the concert ceased, and each man produced his 

 pannikin or cocoanut-shell, for it was my custom 

 to give every one in camp a glass of rakee, and 

 tobacco or cheroot, when we assembled in council 

 round the camp-fire in the evening to consult as to 



* Rude instruments somewhat resembling the violin and guitar. 



