DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61479#0105
FRANCIS HARWOOD.
58
“ The Eastern Ghauts, rising behind the Coromandel coast, are
generally of a less lofty and rugged description, and leave a broader
plain between them and the sea.”
It was in a recess of the Pass of the Boa Ghaut, that a scene
occurred which cemented still more strongly the friendship of Francis
Harwood and his Indian comrade. They had halted for a brief while,
to take rest and refreshment. Stretched in temporary ease, Francis
was thinking over the various events of his short career. He had
seen and undergone much in a very brief time. Bred up in indolence
and affluence, he had cast both away from him, and endured the irksome
service of a soldier. He had inflicted a wound, he yet knew not how
deep, on parents who loved him fondly. His heart was softened—he
yearned for home ; and with improved perceptions both of himself and
things around him, he planned schemes for the future, among which the
foremost was one for facilitating his return to England. Whilst thus
employed, he was alarmed by seeing the Indian who had been lying near
him, suddenly rise —catch up his gun—and, leaping towards him, stride
over his prostrate form. Being taken unawares, Francis was pinned to
the earth. The next instant, however—ere he could recover from his
surprise—Ahmed’s gun was discharged. A loud noise, between
a shriek and a roar, followed the report; and Harwood, turning
his glance in the direction of the sound, saw, for the first time,
a huge Leopard—which was in the act of bounding up into the air, and
immediately after fell dead -.- Ahmed’s bullet had pierced its heart.
From the explanation which ensued, our hero learnt that the beast
had fortunately been perceived by his companion, with eyes glaring upon
the European, and couched exactly in that posture that precedes the
58
“ The Eastern Ghauts, rising behind the Coromandel coast, are
generally of a less lofty and rugged description, and leave a broader
plain between them and the sea.”
It was in a recess of the Pass of the Boa Ghaut, that a scene
occurred which cemented still more strongly the friendship of Francis
Harwood and his Indian comrade. They had halted for a brief while,
to take rest and refreshment. Stretched in temporary ease, Francis
was thinking over the various events of his short career. He had
seen and undergone much in a very brief time. Bred up in indolence
and affluence, he had cast both away from him, and endured the irksome
service of a soldier. He had inflicted a wound, he yet knew not how
deep, on parents who loved him fondly. His heart was softened—he
yearned for home ; and with improved perceptions both of himself and
things around him, he planned schemes for the future, among which the
foremost was one for facilitating his return to England. Whilst thus
employed, he was alarmed by seeing the Indian who had been lying near
him, suddenly rise —catch up his gun—and, leaping towards him, stride
over his prostrate form. Being taken unawares, Francis was pinned to
the earth. The next instant, however—ere he could recover from his
surprise—Ahmed’s gun was discharged. A loud noise, between
a shriek and a roar, followed the report; and Harwood, turning
his glance in the direction of the sound, saw, for the first time,
a huge Leopard—which was in the act of bounding up into the air, and
immediately after fell dead -.- Ahmed’s bullet had pierced its heart.
From the explanation which ensued, our hero learnt that the beast
had fortunately been perceived by his companion, with eyes glaring upon
the European, and couched exactly in that posture that precedes the