Page:Letters from India Vol 2.pdf/102

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LETTERS FROM INDIA.

if he did not in the most shocking manner kick any servant who ventures to come near him, and, as he will follow no one but me, I cannot imagine how his march of some thousand miles is to be accomplished. B—— has forsaken me in my utmost need, shaking his head ominously and saying that Gazelle will certainly die during the first week. That lowers B—— in my eyes; I did think he would have offered him half his palankeen.

If you want a diamond three quarters of an inch in diameter tell me. W—— has just brought me a ring to look at, with a single diamond of that size; and, because it has an imperceptible flaw in it, the jewellers say it is only worth 1,600l. I offered them your 20l. for it, but they would not take it. I have begged to have sentinels placed over me and it till it is fetched back again.

Dr. Drummond says that a few days ago his friend Dr. G—— found an adjutant which was so heavy it could not fly. In their horrid surgical way they killed it, and, on opening it, they found it had swallowed a baby. In the most dawdling way these birds manage to suck down live cats, rats, and crows without any