The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-10-05
A DRINK FOR LIFE OR DEATH.
RlackWooti,s MaRazlne.


 I came to India in 1S5-as a private in the tn regiment and my company formed part of the garrison st Arcot. Life in barracks in India is very dull; ; and have of ten wondered that British soldiers out here are, the whole, such steady, ellbehaved lot of lads. Compare a soldiers life in & small Indian station with being quartered even at Malta or Gibraltar, and either of these places will seem like Paradise; though the Rock is by no means popular and is always called prison by the troops for the time being garrison there
 Well, we found Arcot horribly dull, and it was with great satisfaction that we heard order had been given for our company to march to Vedore to strengthen the garrison there which had been very much reduced by cholera
 It was then about the middle of March, and con- sequently later than is usual for moving troops as the days began to get very hot the plains in the Carnatic about that time of the year. But ours was special duty and as we should only march in the very early morning we did not fear the incon- venience Of the midday heat; but looked upon the whole thing as rather lark, and welcome change from the monotony of garrison duty. As to the cholera, not one of us gave it thought. Not likely it would touch one of us
 1t on the second day after leaving ArcOt, that Private Thomas Atkins, who was my right file, suddenly had to fall out. l expected him to rejoin the ranks before long but did not trouble myself about his absence. 1t was not until we reached camp, and had finished breakfast that heard anything more about him.
 then learnt that he was buriedi
 l knew cholera was awfully sudden in its attacks and effects but had not imagined the possibility of its carrying of healthy man quite SO rapidly Of course immediate interment must take place in case of death the line of march. had liked Att kins much but fancy his death and burial were sudden that the rest of failed to realize the truth of what had happened to our comrade, and halt expected to see him turn up again. Any how, we soon forgot the incident.
 Late in the afternoon was listening to adescrp- tion of Vellore by one of our fellows who had been there, and speculating the chance of seeing the crocodiles with Tppoo Sultan had placed in the moat round the fort, the best possible sentnels to prevent prisoners from escaping any of his troops from attempting to desert, when suddenly felt spasms and sickness
 "Holloa! old fellow, how blue you look !" re- marked companion sitting next to me and as he spoke my comrades shrank terror stricken from me. 1t needed no doctor to tell what was the matter. The cholera has seized mel
 I was hastily conveyed to the temporary hospi- tal where assistant surgeon already had several on a charpoy. I rapidly passed from the first to the second stage of that malady and by nine o'clock at night the incessant vomiting and purging had reduced me to . condition of weakness approaching insensibility. Twas consumed by . burning, raging thirst, but the dresser disregarded all my entreat- ies for . drink of water. The system of treatment for cholera in those days allowed the patient mo- thing more than just to have the lips moistened occasionally with weak brandy and water; and this supply Aggravated the torture of thirst. Nowadays champagne is given, and the sufferer Is allowed to drink pretty freely.
 The hospital was, of course, only pandal hastily constructed with palmyra leaves, with cuscus mat