The Sun.
London, England, 1830-08-13 00:00:00

AN ORIENTAL NIMROD.

Of the two Murdoos, so frequently mentioned in
this narrative, the elder brother was called Wel', or
Velli Murdon ; but he had nothing to do with the
management of the country. He was a great sports-
man, and gave up his whole time to hunting and
shooting. Being a man of uncommon stature and
strength, his chief delight was to encounter the
monsters of the woods ; and it was even said, that
he could bend a common Arcot rupee with his
fingers. Uncumbered with the cares and trappings
of government, he led a sort of wandering life ; and
occasionally visited his European neighbours at
Tanjore, Trichinopoly, and Madura, by whom be
was much esteemed. If any one wanted game, a
message sent to Velli Murdoo was sure to procure
it ; or if he wished to partake in the sports of the
held, Velli Murdoo was the man to conduct him to
Hthe spot, and to insure his success, as well as to
watch over his safety. Did a royal tiger appear,
while his guest was surrounded by hardy and
powerful pikemen, Velli Murdoo was the first to
meet the monster and despatch him. A life such as
this, although it may appear idle and insignificant to
those accustomed to the safety of a well-regulated
country, was very far from being without its use-
fulness in a district overrun with jungle, and infested
by beasts of prey. The minor game was, however,
politely decoyed, or driven in front of his European
friend, who might thus, with less danger, kill hogs,
elks, deer, pea-fowl, &c. in abundance. From this
Oriental Nimrod I had received many marks of at-
tention and kindness, when stationed at Madura, in
the year 1705, and then one of the youngest subal-
terns in the place; a pretty certain proof of his dis-
interestedness. The Cheena Murdoo was the oaten•
sible sovereign of an extensive and fertile country,
and his general residence was at Sherewele. Though
of a dark complexion, be was a portly, handsome,
and tillable man, of the kindest manners, and most
easy access; and though ruling over a people to
whom his very nod was a law, lie lived in an open
palace, without a single guard ; indeed, when I
visited him in February, 1795, every man who chose
to come in, had free ingress and egress, while every
voice called down the blessing of the Almighty urn
the father of his people. From a merely casual visit,
when
.passing through hie country, he became my
friend, and during my continuance at Madura, never
failed to send me presents of fine rice and fruit ;par-
tieularly a large rough-skinned orange, remarkably
sweet, which I have never met with in such peace-
tion in any other part of India. It was he also who
first taught me to throw the spear, and hurl the
collery stick, a weapon scarcely known elsewhere,
but in it skilful baud capable of being thrown to'a
certainty to any distance within one hundred yards.
Yet this eeey man, I was afterwards destined by the
fortune of war to chase like a wild beast j tO see Way
wooodedi captured by common Peons; then
lingering with a fractured thigh in prison; and lastly
to behold him, with his pliant brother, and no less
gallant son, surrounded by their principal adherents,
hanging in, chains upona common gibbet !Vela'
Afilitairy Remittiteerices,