DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5832#0130
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 I"
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
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 I"
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