20 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



Sawunt's levy consisted chiefly of a 

 similar class of men; so that if our 

 passes were invaded, Greek would meet 

 Grreek. Among the little custom-houses 

 I distributed thirty peons armed with 

 musket and bayonet and sword, and 

 well provided with ammunition. These 

 men were to be in constant commu- 

 nication with the sheiksendies, whose 

 duty it was to patrol the border near 

 the head of each pass and to keep up 

 the communication. They were also 

 instructed to rendezvous promptly under 

 their Dessaies at any point which might 

 be threatened. 



When I put my thirty peons through 

 their facings with musket and bayonet, 

 a controversy arose among them as to 

 the proper use of the bayonet, the pre- 



