carrying off our camels, the Belochees frequently
ventured within the lines after nightfall, and made off with any thing
they could lay their hands upon. Sir Keith Jackson, the Captain of my
own troop, detected a fellow with a bridle in his hand, which he was
watching an opportunity to slip off with unperceived, and taking his
hand whip he inflicted a most unmerciful castigation upon him. The
rascal whined and moaned like a corrected child during the progress of
the punishment, but as soon as he was let loose he stuck his tongue in
his cheek, and went laughing out of camp.

Our next destination was Sehwan, a thickly populated village, about
seventy English miles from Hyderabad. Here we were joined by the ever to
be lamented Sir Henry Fane, who was to have assumed the command of the
combined forces at their junction at Candahar, but who declined it in
disgust at the wretchedly organised state of the commissariat, and the
neglect which had been shown in providing for the contingencies of the
route. Sir Henry foresaw, and subsequent events justified his views,
that although supplies might be regularly forwarded from time to time,
it was extremely doubtful, nay almost next to impossible, that they
could reach an army always on the advance, through distant and
mountainous regions, and having enemies hanging on its rear who were but
too deeply interested in preventing their safe arrival.

Before Sir Henry left us he inspected the troops, and appeared satisfied
with the condition of the men, who had not as yet encountered hardships
sufficient to affect their appearance. There have been few men in
command whose personal qualities have more endeared him to those who
served under him than Sir Henry Fane. He was between sixty and seventy
years of age, at the time I speak of, and his venerable countenance,
beaming with the kindliest and most benevolent feelings, and manners
that had a parental touch about them, combined to render him one of the
most respected and popular officers in the army. We viewed his departure
from amongst us with the deepest regret, for though we felt the fullest
confidence in our then leader, this gallant veteran had so won upon our
affections that a comparison with him must have proved invidious to any
one.

The ingenuity of the Asiatic jugglers is well known, and I believe our
European exhibitors derive their proficiency, in a great measure, from
them, our soldiery carrying back with them the rudiments