222 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
the slightest injury. No sooner did he feel the ground, 
than he was on his legs in an instant, and darted 
from the scene of his disgrace with the agility of a 
greyhound. 
On the night of this amusing incident a circum- 
stance occurred which led to very different conse- 
quences. Among the cadets then encamped upon 
the esplanade was a fine young man, whom I had 
known a sprightly, promising hoy in England. I was 
spending the evening with him in his tent, where he 
had invited two or three friends. Some time after 
our meeting, he engaged in a game of backgammon 
with one of his guests, who had but a few months 
before obtained his ensign’s commission. The lat- 
ter was an Irishman of mild and gentlemanly man- 
ners ; my friend, on the contrary, being a person 
readily and exceedingly excitable. It unfortunately 
happened that the run of luck was altogether on 
the side of the Irishman, who occasionally bantered 
his irritable opponent upon his ill play, but with 
the greatest good-humour. The latter at first looked 
grave and vexed, bit his lip, and dashed the dice 
upon the backgammon-board with an energy as unne- 
cessary as it was ungentle. This was several times 
repeated, but without any more direct manifestation 
of temper ; — the game at length terminated. 
Mortified at having been beaten several times in 
succession, the vanquished youth urged his successful 
opponent to another trial of skill : the latter would 
have declined, but my young friend was urgent, and 
they again seated themselves at the table, and began 
to play. Success still continued to follow the more 
