Page:On the Coromandel Coast.djvu/251

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PEOPLE TRICHINOPOLY HAS KNOWN
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cover bore the word 'WELCOME' done in white pins. Under the greeting could be read in pinholes 'LITTLE STRANGER' The pins had been removed, but they had left the words indelibly printed on the papery satin. To the dhirzee's intense chagrin the pincushion was replaced by an unpretentious toilet set and the rosettes were removed, reducing His Royal Highnesses couch to the level of an ordinary bed such as might have been occupied by any ordinary mortal.

The Prince came and went, and the memory of his visit was fast fading into oblivion when we arrived in 1879. It was proposed to commemorate it by the erection of his statue in the grounds of the house which had the honour of receiving him. A site was chosen, and a platform built with a canopy ; but the statue was never placed in position, it being considered wiser, on the whole, not to carry out the design for fear the natives should worship it.

At the back of this house, just beyond the limits of the compound, is the spot where the duellists of the old days settled their differences. It is easily reached by riding south-west from the Artillery Barracks in the direction of the Buttamullee Hill. I have ridden past it more than once in the early morning, when the rocky hill has been the object of my ride. Following this line across -country, the duelling-ground lies to the left, between the barracks and the old road.

One of the pensioners pointed out the spot. He remembered the last duel that was fought there. The victim of it was buried in St. John's Churchyard, at the west end of the cemetery, not far from the entrance leading out on to the parade-ground. The monument is 'To the memory of David Edward Armstrong, Captain H.M. 84th Regiment, who died 24th August, 1852, aged 30 years and 11 months.' The cause of the dispute was