Huntsville gazette., 1886-10-23
HE PLENTY SORRY"
why an Indian Rajah MADE a Big
Dinner"

Some dme ago, being then an in
significant member of the army head
quarters staff at Simla, the hill-capital
ct 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,
wbuld on its lower ridges afford suit
able sites; and accordingly, commit
tee of officers was formed for the pur-
pose of accommodating and making a
report. This committee consisted of a
well known General, Major of Engi-
neers, and myself, 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 How
ever, we trudged on manfully, climbed
Uthe 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 belowus. 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, l found
myself the next day at a 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 l thought of camping, as | had
come eleven miles up hill and down
dale; but the place was so bare was so
anxious to push on, being short Of pro-
visions, that suddenly determined to
double my march and make for a fort
called Rajgarh, and described as being
twelve miles farther on. Unfortunate
ly, / was dilatory in starting; the
march, as usual, was longer than L had
been led to suppose; the road was hilly,
and it was not until nine p. IN. that [
found myself peering through thedark-
ness in the vicinity of my destined
camp.
Camp, did I say? 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
mind to bivouac peacefully under a
tree Just outside the fort, however,
and close to the spot 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 l was a 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 nights rest, l presented myself
at the gate of the fort, square walled
enclosure of no strength and demanded
admittance. After much palavering
with the sleepy sentry, l was let in
past the outer wall, but not into the
inner part; whereupon, l asked that
head man should be sent for, and
further clamored for a chair. Seated
upon this, and curiousH scrutinized
BY few promiscuous hill folk, I waited
for some five minutes, wondering why
nobody came. At last gate in the
inner wall has thrown open, and out
poured 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: rs your
Honor sent by the government to see if
troops can be encamped on our hillsa"
| admitted the soft impeachment;
whereupon the tehsildar smiled be-
nignly, and a succession of happy
grunts and ''It is hes, 7 ran round the
rest of the assembly, who had grouped
themselves in an admiring circle round
my chair.
r'..Ah, your Honor, we are made very
happy by seeing you! The deputy
commissioner of Simla wrote to our
rajah to say that you and two other
sahibs were coming; but we feared you
had gone by another way"
This was gratifying, but not to the
purpose 1 accordingly explained to
my friend my situation, begged him to
discourage the metal-workers, aud