130 
ROUTE TO LUCKNOW. 
beasts, and robberies were not unfrequent ; to add to our vexation, 
our messenger returned without success. I thought that in the op- 
posite direction I had heard a dog join concert with the jackals; I 
therefore sent him off again. After an hour's absence he returned 
with a surly looking fellow, whom, nevertheless, a promise of a 
handsome present induced to undertake to put us in the road. I felt 
our situation too unpleasant to go to sleep, so watched the lightning 
playing at a distance, which, to my great consolation, approached no 
nearer to us. At three in the morning I was cheered by hearing the 
cry of my bearers, as they entered a village, answered by others, 
and found there the first relay of men that Mr. Paul had sent down 
from Lucknow. To my very great astonishment I here found a 
packet of European letters, which Mr. Deane had forwarded after 
me from Juanpore. It was the first I had received since leaving 
England ; and the joy of finding my child and friends were well, 
was a delightful contrast to the anxiety which the events of the 
night had excited in my mind. I soon fell fast asleep, and my 
bearers being much superior to any I had yet had, we got on most 
rapidly. 
March 20. — I arose about six in the morning. The jungle was 
frequent, with mango topes and villages ; cultivation more scanty 
than in the British territories. Nullahs often occurred, and in many 
places were excellent stone bridges ; the road was tolerable. The 
day was cool, as the north-wester, which I had feared in the night, 
had here rendered us service by pouring down its burden, and 
greatly cooling the air. By nine o'clock I reached a tent, which his 
Highness the Nawaub Vizier had sent to receive me during the heat 
of the day. I feasted on an excellent hot breakfast, and still more 
