The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-08-21
Tlhe Faithful Sedar.
~ OF INDIAN cHARACrE r

The Faithful Sedlr.
&g A TRAIT OF INDIAN CHARACTE h.
I received letter addressed to me at
Calcutta. from friend at Berhampore,
stating that several robberies had taken
place in my household during my alb
sence, and that my sedar- bearer, on whom
I could rely, had begged OF my friend to
write to me to return as soon as possible.
This information reached me as lay
on my couch, completely worn with the
fatigues of the day previous; tor / bad
been with some brother officers to Bar
rackpore, to see hunt by leopards "a
sight the most curious that ever beheld
in India. These animals are so tame,
that they range at large, and actually
sleep beside their keeper. This l can
vouch for, as I have seen it. They pro-.
tect him with the same fidelity that a dog
would defend his master, if any stranger
should approach him during his slumbers.
This I particularly know, as unfortnn-
ately went to awake him, unaware of his
faithful guardians, and nearly paid the
penalty Of my folly. The keeper how
ever, started up, and called them off,.
They obeyed with the docility Of domes-
tic animals, AND fell behind him at his
word of command. They belong, be-
lieve, to the governor general for the
time being, and are kept in the park Of
the government house. 1t was here that
I saw them run down deer. "
Never in my life have beheli any
thing so graceful as their movements, or
so rapid as their speed. Considerably
swifter than greyhounds, they bounded
along, and soon brought down their
game. Fatigued with the excitme nt Of
this beautiful sport, I returned to CAL
Lutta, and, as have mentioned, was
lying on my couch, when the informa-
ton, conveyed by my my friend at Bel-
hampore, arrived. No time. however,
was to be lost; SO, starting up, ordered
my palanquin to be brought to the door,
determined on travelling up the one hun
dred and sixteen miles by bearers. This
mode OF proceeding may appear strange
to Europeans, who will scarcely believe
the rapidity with which such journey
is accomplished. By the river, on &C
count of the current. seven days are re-
quired to arrive at Berhalnpore; by land,
it only takes twenty-eight hours. The
bearers, like post horses, are relieved
every twelve or fifteen miles. Each re-
lay consisted of eight men, who shifted
the burden to each other at the end of
about every league. The others trot
along to rest themselves, the whole party
singing and jolting on at the rate of
about four miles and half an hour.
During the night the disengaged bearers
carry torches, to scare away wild beasts.
The fre-fies buzzing about like innum-
cradle sta:s, add to the beauty of the
picture, and render this scene most ro-
mantle and picturesque; though must
confess the uneasy motion. the broiling
of the sun in this luxurious, coffin like
conveyance, and the fear of a voracious
tiger, or other savage monster, take away,
in my opinion, all the charms which
would otherwise gild this mode of trav-
cling.
At daybreak on the second morning (for
I had halted b few hours at Agherdeep),
l arrived in the environments, and entered
my house, which stood in the extensive
barrack square. .
After breakfasting luxuriously on sable
fish (close resembling the salmon) and
snipes, which are here far more plentiful
than sparrows in England, 1 secretly sent
for the "wise man" Of the place to come
and discover the thief; then ordering the
servants to fall in, in row under the YER
andah, l quietly and confidently awaited
his arrival. I had often seen his powers
tested, and never knew them to fail. I
am aware that most persons will smile ct
my credulity; but, as I have the convic-
ton from personal and constant observa-
ton, do not hesitate to assert that his
manner of discovering crime, though the
simplest, was the most wonderful that I
ever beheld. The present instance served
to strengthen my belief: n.
In every bazaar or village in India
there exists a :'wise man." sort of half
priest, half-conjurer, who predicts events,
tells fortunes, secures families, and dis
covers crimes. These individuals are
looked upon with great awe by the ma.
tives, and are often found useful in the
last instance by Europeans.
On the arrival of the magician ne
made the men form circle around him
then, uttering some prayers, he produced
small bag of rice and taking out a
handful gave it to the man nearest to him
and desired him to chew it, while he con-
tlnued to recite certain prayers or in
carnations. In a moment or two he held
! plate to the man and desired him to spit
out the grain. He did so; it was. well
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