A QUARREL. 
203 
crowded with criminals. The death of a fellow-crea- 
ture is commonly regarded as a very venial offence., 
and frequently visited by the native authorities with 
the slightest possible punishment. 
I remember a circumstance occurring in the neigh- 
bourhood of Chunar Ghur, which will sufficiently 
show the little regard entertained for the life of one of 
his own race by an irritated Hindoo. A quarrel had 
taken place between a sepoy and a mahoot belonging 
to one of the Company's elephants., during which the 
contending party had come to blows, when the 
sepoy soon made his antagonist cry out for quarter. 
The thrashing which he had received rankled in the 
mahoot’s breast for some time ; and though he did 
not dare give it vent in expressions, his fierce looks, 
whenever he met the man who had disgraced him, 
sufficiently attested the bitter state of his feelings. 
One day, being with his elephant near the jungle, 
where he had been exercising it, after washing and 
scraping it in a neighbouring tank, he observed his foe 
advancing towards the spot. He immediately thought 
this would be a favourable opportunity to retaliate the 
injury he had received ; for under the protection of his 
elephant he knew that he was secure from assault by 
the person who had so severely chastised him. 
As the sepoy approached, the mahoot began to abuse 
him in the most opprobrious terms ; which so incensed 
the soldier, that, drawing his bayonet, he rushed to- 
wards his insulter, who immediately ran to the ele- 
phant to shield him from the threatened mischief. 
The sagacious animal instantly stooped its head, at 
the same time bending its fore leg in such a manner 
