of the
greatest possible value--and its withdrawal the highest punishment. A
few other axioms of the like nature, greatly facilitated all bargains,
and promoted universal good feeling. Occasionally, a knotty point would
arise, which somewhat puzzled me to determine. Now and then, some Indian
prejudice, some superstition of the tribe would oppose a barrier to the
summary process of my cheap justice; but then, a little adroitness and
dexterity could soon reconcile matters--and as I had no fear that my
decisions were to be assumed as precedents, and still less dread of
their being rescinded by a higher court, I cut boldly, and generally
severed the difficulty at a blow.

"My life was now a pleasant one enough--for our officers treated me
on terms of familiarity, which gradually grew into intimacy, as our
quarters were in remote, stations, and as they per-oeived that I
possessed a certain amount of education--which, it is no flattery to
say, exceeded their own. My old qualities of convivialism, also, gave
me considerable aid; and as I had neither forgotten to compose a song,
nor sing it afterwards, I was rather a piece of good fortune in this
solitary and monotonous state of life. Etiquette prevented my being
asked to the mess, but, most generously, nothing interfered with their
coming over to my wigwam almost every evening, and taking share of a
bowl of sangaree, and a pipe--kindnesses I did my uttermost to repay,
by putting in requisition all the amusing talents I possessed: and
certainly, never did a man endeavour more for great success in life, nor
give himself greater toil, than did I, to make time pass over pleasantly
to some half-dozen silly subalterns, a bloated captain or two, and a
plethoric, old snuff-taking major, that dreamed of nothing but rappee,
punchy and promotion. Still, like all men in an ambiguous, or a false
position, I felt flattered by the companionship of people, whom, in
my heart, I thoroughly despised and looked down upon; and felt myself
honoured by the society of the most thick-headed set of noodles ever a
man sat down with--Aye! and laughed at their flat witticisms, and their
old stale jokes--and often threw out hints for _bon mots_, which, if
they caught, I immediately applauded, and went about, saying, did you
hear 'Jones's last?'--'do you know what the major said this morning?'
bless my heart! what a time it was. Truth will out--the old tuft-hunting
leaven was strong in me, even yet--hardshi