The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-10-22
"HE PLENTY SORRY"
Why an Indian Rajah made a Big
Dinner"

Dinner"
Some time ago, being then an in
significant member of the army head
quarters staff at Simla, the hill-capital
of India, it became desirable to in
crease the number of hill stations for
the summer accommodation of British
troops. 1t was thought that the Chor
mountain, the most prominent peak of
which is some sixty miles from Simla,
would on its lower ridges afford suit
able sites; and accordingly. a commit
tee of officers was formed for the pur-
pose of accommodating and making a
report. This committee consisted of
well known General, Major of Engi-
neers, and myself, a humble sub.
Somewhat trying work it was to get to
the Chor, the road being of the most
breakneck description, and the mon
soon rains showing symptoms of burst
ing for our especial delectation. How
ever, we trudged on manfully, climbed
to the very tOpmOst peak of the Chor,
which by our aneroid we. made
over twelve thousand feet, and saw
nothing; for, by evil chance, one of the
most magnificent views in Asia was
barred to us by clouds which shut out
every thing except the first mile or two
of the hOg-backed ridges below US. Dis
appointed, we descended; and that
night it was arranged we should sepa-
rate and return to Simla by different
routes, so as to make the presidents
report as comprehensive as possible.
In the execution of this idea, [ found
myself the next day at place called
Bhairogh, whence proceeded-on foot,
for we had been obliged to send our
ponies back, owing to the state of the
road-to village called Tall. Here at
first I thought of camping, as / had
come eleven miles up hill and down
dale but the place was so bare Twas so
anxious to push on, being short of pro-
visions, that I suddenly determined to
double my march and make for fort
called Raigarh. and described as being
twelve miles farther on. Unfortunate
ly, l was dilatory in starting; the
march, as usual, was longer than had
been led to suppose; the road was hilly,
and it was not until nine p. m. that /
found myself peering through the dark
ness in the vicinity of my destined
camp.
Camp, did I sayp 1t was very soon
evident that there was to be no camp
for me that evening, and, what was still
more Objectionable, no supper. Slowly
as had walked, my servant with whom
was all my money, and the coolies with
my tent and kit, were miles behind. 1t
was too late for such an unkempt raga-
muffin as undoubtedly was to disturb
the garrison, so / shortly made up my
mind to bivOuac peacefully under a
tree. just outside the fort, however,
and close to the spot l had marked out
for my resting place, two natives, by
the light of fire, were hammering
some metal vessel with such animation
as to wholly preclude the possibility of
sleep. To these enthusiasts explained
that / was sahib, and suggested they
should postpone their operations till
next morning. They, naturally enough
perhaps, demurred and | wrangled
and they continued their metallic fan
tasia until / could stand it no longer
Thinking, perhaps, could persuade
the local head man to assist me in get
ting a nights rest, l presented myself
at the gate of the fort, a square walled
enclosure of no strength and demanded
admittance. After much palavering
with the sleepy sentry, [ was let in
past the outer wall, but not into the
inner part; whereupon, | asked that
head man should be sent for. and
further clamored for chair. Seated
upon this, and curiouslv scrutinized
by few promiscuous hill folk, waited
for some five miputes, wondering why
nobody came. At last a gate in the
inner wall has thrown open, and out
poured a procession, lit with torches
and headed by an evidently high class
native in flowing white robes.
After the interchange of salaams,
this individual, who subsequently,
turned out to be the tehsildar
administrator of district), said to
me with much humility: "Is your
Honor sent by the government to see if
troops can be encamped on our hills?'
/ admitted the soft impeachment;
whereupOn the tehsildar smiled be-
nignly, and a succession of happy
grunts and 1T is hes, ran round the
rest of the assembly, who had grouped
themselves in an admiring circle round
my chair
''Ah, your Honor, we are made very
happy by seeing you! The deputy
commissioner of Simla wrote to our
raiah to say that you and two other
SthlAPS NSAG DtaN ANthA1'A y DA
had gone by another way
This was gratifying, but not to the
purpose. [ accordingly explained TO
my friend my situation, begged him to
discourage the metal-workers. and
asked that my servants when they
arrived might be directed TO my
whereabouts. At this, CONSERVATION
reigned on every side, and the tehsildar
neatly tainted
Your Honor sleep under a treer'
he gasped. "It is not to be thought
Of. have given orders for banquet
TO be prepared for your Honor; and
your sieeping-room is by this time
ready. Will your Honor be pleased to
come and see it?''
/ followed the obsequious tehsildar,
and inspected my proposed sleeping
apartment. a small room, with no out
let but the door. and literally stuffed
with carpets, quilts and pillows, evil
IDENTIFY collected hurriedly for the oc-
casion. What pleased me most was
the sight Of a bed, which at once or
derel 20 he BROUGHT out into a sort Of