106 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
fell brightly upon the busy travellers who had just 
resumed their journey down the winding path that 
led from their welcome shelter, imparting a most 
delightful feature to the scene. There was a delicious 
freshness in the morning, and I could not refrain 
from wishing the travellers a hearty “ God speed !” 
A small detachment of European troops, on their 
way to Delhi, halted here a few hours after sunrise. 
We joined the two officers who accompanied it, and 
this casual meeting of our countrymen was a very 
agreeable incident in our long though interesting jour- 
ney. The detachment consisted of about seventy 
men, under the command of a lieutenant, accom- 
panied by a junior officer. They had pitched their 
tent within a small grove at a short distance from the 
serai walls, while the soldiers were quietly reposing 
under the deep shade of the trees. The elephants, 
camels, and other cattle were picketed around them. 
Whilst the detachment was preparing for its march 
on the following morning, an accident happened, 
which I relate, as it will serve to show the disposi- 
tion of that very useful, but occasionally savage crea- 
ture, the camel. In general, indeed, this animal is 
remarkably tractable, kneeling down at the slightest 
intimation of its keeper, quietly ruminating while 
the latter loads it, and patiently submitting to the 
imposition of a very heavy burthen. One of the 
camels, however, belonging to the troops preparing to 
proceed on their march, contrary to its usual habit, 
refused to obey the command of its driver, and stood 
motionless in stubborn defiance of authority. The 
man tugged in vain at the cord passed through its 
