Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-01-09
THE RAJAH'S HORSE.
BY CHARLES C. D. ROBERTS.


The Thalia, the American man of war
o, which l was midshipman, mad, for
some iuexplioable reason, put in at Ma
sulipatam, India, and lay there over q
month. Jack Shaler and got leave to
20 ashore and stay awhile at a sort Of
hotel, for the purpose of looking into
native customs, and so forth. Under the
spell of a superabuudanoe OF servants and
salaams we soon realized our great per-
sonsl and national importance, and what
is more, we succeeded in making the old
Raiah realize it. ThcreupOn the Rajah
feassed US, and gave us a very good time
generally.
The Rajah Of Masulipatam has no doubt
mauy weaknesses, but the only one which
seems TO call for present comment was
his weakness for horses. His stables
were magnifcently stocked, and l be-
lieye that his heart had its dwelling
therein. His steed was certainly one Of
the finest to be found in all India.
One morning the Rajah sent two
gorgeously appareled messengers TO
invite US TO a boar hunt, or "pig stick
ing" as the English IN India call it.
The messengers, who came on horseback,
were followed by groOns in white turban
and tuuic, leading a pair Of splendid
animals for Jack and me to ride. Need
less TO say, we accepted the invitation
thus effectually backed up, and set out
for the palace with the highest kind Of
expectations A boar hunt vas Just the
experience we wanted. But we didn't
get it, that day.
when We reached the palace gate, TO
the evident surprise OF our attendants,
there was no hunting party gathered to
receive Us. We halted, without dis.
mounting, and Immediately one Of the
chief officers OF the palace appeared. lie
almost effaced himself before Us as he
explained that there would be no huut
that day (Jack and 1, you know, are
pretty we'll up in Hindustaui. having
been grinding at it all the time we were
on the Indian sta;iou.l
Presently the dusky apologist informed
is that if VIC pleased, His Highuess would
receive US 10 the garden, whittier he had
betaken himself to WOO forgetfuuess
Of recent serious annoyance. OF course
we went at once to the smiable potentate,
genuinely concerned that ne should be in
trouble.
Through a massive, wide, but low
archcd doorway Of exQuisitely cut black
marble, we entered the palace gardens
Of Masulipatam, and looked out upou a
landscape which appeared to us to grow
more and more enchanting every time it
met our gaze. The officer, knowing that
we needed no further direction, and that
his master wished TO see Us alone, with
drew in silence. In secluded portico
by the canal we found the Rqjah await
ing US.
He came forward to meet US. He
was a man Of the world, and had
travelled in Europe; aud toward foreign
ers be adopted the manners which be-
long to the gentleman everywhere. He
was full Of regret at having to disap-
point us. and assured US that the hunt
was only postponed. His face wore a
troubled expression, and Jack made a dis
ere aud sympathetic inquiry into the
cause Of his disquietude.
"The feet is, said the Rajah, "my
beloved horse Bahram has gone mad,
hopelessly mad, I fear!'
s.Whatl Bahram? You don't mean
itg" cried in CONSERVATION. l love
horses. and had been consumed with
enyious admiration for that beautiful
animal, dark, blood bay Arab, of mar
velous stature.
"Yesr said the Rajah, she was act
ing very strangely yesterday, and bis
groom could hardly manage him. This
morning, as he was being led out, and
was almost preparing to mount in spite
Of the excitement under which he was
Iaboring, he suddenly plunged forward
with horrid yell and seized the groom $
neck between his teeth. He shook the
man Just as in England once saw one ol
those small dogs they call terrier shake
q rat. And the man was Immediately
killed. Notwithstanding my great love
for Bahr.u. mn pitg for ths uafol tunate