144 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



separately, and they all agreed that no cooly 

 had been beaten — no knife had been seen or 

 used, and that our appu had only come down 

 from the bungalow to help some of the 

 kanganies to restore order in a great row 

 which was taking place between the informer 

 and another man. He was taxed with his 

 untruthfulness and malice, severely reprimanded, 

 and fined twenty rupees, which to a man of his 

 position is a large sum. 



When I returned in the evening all was quiet 

 again, and I must confess though we had not 

 believed in the accusation it was a great relief 

 to Rob and myself to find our servant was not 

 to blame, for he is a most excellent " boy," and 

 has been many years with his master, having 

 nursed him faithfully through several severe 

 illnesses. This little incident shows how 

 extremely difficult it is to sift evidence, to 

 decide on the credibility of witnesses, and to 

 mete out blame and punishment in the 

 right quarter, owing to the total disregard 

 of truth, and the deceitfulness and duplicity 

 of the native character ; joined to these traits 

 there is a curious strain of simplicity, for happily 

 they do not take the trouble, or have not the 

 ability to make their falsehoods hang well 

 together, nor have they the forethought to see 

 that if you enquire further into the matter they 

 will be found out. 



