5-l4< NARRATIVE OF A 



quently returned, as introductors to new visitorj;, 

 whose expectations they had raised, by the relation 

 of what themselves had seen. 



The most troublesome guests were the Goosseyjis, 

 "who being the first here in point of numbers and 

 poAver, thought it warrantable to take more freedoms 

 than others did : and it was no easy matter to be, 

 at any time, free from their company : it was, how- 

 ever, politically prudent, to tolerate them ; for, by 

 being allowed to take possession of every spot round 

 the tents, even within the ropes, they might be con- 

 sidered as a kind of safe-guard, against visitors of 

 ^vorse descriptions ; in fact, they made a shew of be- 

 ing our protectors. 



In the early part of the Mela, or fair, this sect of 

 Fakeers erected the standard of superiority, and pro- 

 claimed themselves regulators of the police. 



Apprehending opposition, in assuming this autho- 

 rity, they published an edict, prohibiting all other 

 tribes from entering the place with their swords, or 

 arms of an}^ other description. This was ill received 

 at first, and for some days it was expected force must 

 have decided the matter ; however, the Byi^aagees, 

 y\\\o were the next poM^erful sect, gave up the point, 

 and the rest followed their example. Thus the Ggos^ 

 seyns paraded with their swords and shields, M'liile 

 every other tribe carried only bamboos through the 

 fair. 



The ruling power was consequently held by the 

 priests of the Gous.seyvs, distinguished by the appel- 

 lation of ]\fehunts, and during the continuance of 

 the Mela, the police was under their authority, and 

 all duties levied and collected by them. For Hiird' 

 '(car, though immediately connected with the J\Iahf 



rQtta 



