venience of his keeper; if he adds more than the accustomed burden, he will not rise, but, making a loud moaning, continues on his knees until the additional weight is removed; nor can any threatening or blows of the driver effect the contrary. The number of camels in the Mahratta camp occasioned a disagreeable smell; they were seldom free from sores, and their breath was generally offensive.

Few countries or climates agree so well with the camel as the Persian and Arabian deserts, where they are bred in great numbers; as also on the sandy shores of the Indus, in the domain of the prince of Scindy: many are brought from Malwa, Ajmeer, and Nagore. This animal is fit for service at the age of three years; they seldom live more than twenty-five years in India, and do not often breed in the southern provinces. Moisture, either in soil or atmosphere, is not congenial with their constitution, which is formed for the arid tracts they traverse, laden with rich merchandize, content with the coarsest food, and a small portion of water. Were it not for this valuable animal, those immense plains of undulating sand would be an insurmountable barrier between the kingdoms on their borders; but the camel conveys both the merchant and his goods from one country to another, with astonishing facility, over deserts trackless as the ocean, which has occasioned the Arabians to name it emphatically, "the ship of the desert."

A camel's travelling load should not exceed five hundred pounds; some can carry from six to seven hundred; under a weight proportioned to his strength, he will perform the longest journey under great privations; when loaded his pace never exceeds three miles

358

MAHRATTA STATE.

an hour, nor will severity make him quicken his pace any more than increase his load. The Mahratta chiefs keep a few light camels and dromedaries, called sadnies, to carry dispatches, which travel with great expedition. In the southern part of Hindostan the camel is of more show than service, and is seldom seen but with the army, or in state processions: but in the north-west provinces, intersected by few navigable rivers, and abounding with extensive deserts, trade is chiefly conducted by means of this valuable animal.

A Mahratta's state generally consists in elephants, horses, and camels: his wealth in jewels, particularly rows of pearls, valued at forty or fifty thousand rupees a necklace: their diamonds are seldom well cut, and usually table-diamonds; the rubies and emeralds are sometimes cut and polished, but oftener set as they come from the mines, in bracelets, rings, and an ornament for the turban, called serpéch. A Mahratta is not ambitious to make a figure in his house, furniture, or apparel: his elephants, horses, and jewels, are what he most esteems; if possessed of the finest Persian and Arabian horses, he seldom rides them; preferring for service the fleet mares from his own country, of the Bhimra Tutte breed.

When a Mahratta expects a battle where there is a chance of being defeated, he mounts a Bhimra mare, and girds himself with a broad belt round his loins, the better to enable him to bear the fatigue of a forced march: this girdle is generally made of strong leather, covered with velvet, and divided into small compartments, containing his most valuable papers and precious jewels: the selected companions of his flight, and a sure resource in adversity.

HERMAPHRODITES.

359

Among the followers of an oriental camp, at least of the Mahratta camp to which we were attached, I must not omit the hermaphrodites; there were a great number of them in the different bazars, and I believe all in the capacity of cooks. In mentioning these singular people, I am aware I tread on tender ground; I cannot solve doubts and difficulties, nor shall I enter into particulars respecting them. I shall merely observe that there were a considerable number of human beings called hermaphrodites in the camp, who were compelled, by way of distinguishing them from other castes, to wear the habit of a female and the turban of a man. I was called into a private tent, to a meeting between the surgeon-major and several medical gentlemen of the army, to examine some of these people: my visit was short, and the objects disgusting.

There are doubtless many alterations and improvements of late years in the Mahratta tactics, which are foreign to this campaign: at that time, when they intended to besiege a town, they generally encamped round the walls; and having by that measure deprived the garrison of all external means of assistance, the besieging army waited with patience until the garrison was starved into capitulation: I have been informed, that when the Mahrattas took Ahmedabad, the capital of Guzerat, they had surrounded it in their desultory manner for several years, before the garrison surrendered. A few shots were sometimes exchanged, but seldom with effect: when I was with the Mahratta army they did not understand the use of mortars.

The war-rocket used by the Mahrattas, which very often annoyed us, is composed of an iron tube, eight or ten inches long, and near two inches in diameter;

this destructive weapon is sometimes fixed to a rod of iron, sometimes to a straight two-edged sword, but most commonly to a strong bamboo cane, four or five feet long, with an iron spike projecting beyond the tube to this rod, or staff, the tube filled with combustible materials is fastened, and on the lighted match setting fire to the fuze, is projected with great velocity; if well directed, which is an uncertain operation, it causes much confusion and dismay among the enemy, from the difficulty of avoiding its terrifying and destructive effects.

MARCH OF THE ARMY.

361

CHAPTER XVIII.

March of the Allied Army towards the Enemy - Blessings of Water-First Engagement-Retreat of the Enemy-Field of Battle-Action at Mahter-Treatment of Spies-Patience of the Hindoos-Kairah-Guzerat Villages Action at Hyderabad-March to the South Parts of Guzerat-History of the Guickwar Family-Neriad laid under contribution-BhautsA Dreadful Sacrifice-Conduct of the Bralımins-March to the Plains of Arras-Omens-Superstition of the Brahmins and Astrologers Battle on the Plains of Arras-Defeat of the Enemy-Encamp at Bettassee-The Allied Army cross the Myhi-Pass of Fazal-Poor-March to Baroche-Robbers.

SMALL parties of Ragobah's army that had been dispersed in different districts, or had not been able to keep up with the main body on their forced march to effect the junction, occasionally dropped in at Ginnich and Darah some we had reason to suppose fell into the enemy's hands, and many were lost in fording the Sabermatty. So completely intimidated were his principal generals after their defeat on the plains of Arras, that they refused to make any movement towards joining our army, unless the commander in chief sent an envoy personally to announce his arrival, and future intentions, and to assure them of the English friendship and protection. He accordingly dispatched a German gentleman, then a volunteer in our camp, with an intelligent native officer in the sepoy corps, of inte