150 



the march; but it is much complained of by the bulk of the army, 

 who are deprived of shelter during great part of the day, and 

 obliged to march at the hottest time; which, if through an open arid 

 country, frequently causes a great loss in men and cattle. 



Encampment of a Mahratta Army. 



The dhall, or standard, of the chief being erected, as mentioned 

 in the preceding acount of the march, the flags of all the other 

 chiefs and leaders of corps are pitched as fast as possible, by 

 their respective beenee wallas, or quarter-masters; and all the in- 

 ferior commanders dispatch proper people with the flags of their 

 respective chief, to secure quarters as well as they can in the 

 general scramble. On this occasion severe affrays frequently hap- 

 pen. The only part of the camp which carries the appearance 

 of regularity is the bazar; which generally forms a long and broad 

 street to the tent of the great chieftain, and to that of each chief 

 of any consequence; whereas the rest of the camp is so straggling 

 and destitute of order, that it is extremely difficult to penetrate 

 through the crowd of camels, horses, and bullocks, to the interior; 

 which subjects them to the utmost confusion in case of an alarm: 

 and so totally is all regard to situation and disposition neglected, that 

 I have seen the artillery-park so stationed, as to be rendered entirely 

 useless, except by sacrificing their own people which surrounded it. 



As soon as the camp is pitched, the baggage tattoos, attached 

 in great numbers to the paugheas, gallop off with wonderful acti- 

 vity in quest of forage, if an opportunity has not offered of picking 

 up any thing on the march; nor are the camels far behind them in 

 these occupations, so that they generally return laden by the time 



