s but one champion who can wear the
papooshes of the elephant-slayer--it is Bobbachy Bahawder!"

"You speak truly, Puneeree Muckun, the Bahawder ruminates on the
words of the unbeliever: he is an ostrich, and hatches the eggs of his
thoughts."

"Bekhusm! on my nose be it! May the young birds, his actions, be strong
and swift in flight."

"May they DIGEST IRON!" said Puneeree Muckun, who was evidently a wag in
his way.

"O-ho!" thought I, as suddenly the light flashed upon me. "It was, then,
the famous Bobbachy Bahawder, whom I overcame just now! and he is the
man destined to stand in my slippers, is he?" and I was at that very
moment standing in his own! Such are the chances and changes that fall
to the lot of the soldier!

I suppose everybody--everybody who has been in India, at least--has
heard the name of Bobbachy Bahawder: it is derived from the two
Hindustanee words--bobbachy, general; bahawder, artilleryman. He had
entered into Holkar's service in the latter capacity, and had, by his
merit and his undaunted bravery in action, attained the dignity of the
peacock's feather, which is only granted to noblemen of the first class;
he was married, moreover, to one of Holkar's innumerable daughters: a
match which, according to the Chronique Scandaleuse, brought more of
honor than of pleasure to the poor Bobbachy. Gallant as he was in the
field, it was said that in the harem he was the veriest craven alive,
completely subjugated by his ugly and odious wife. In all matters of
importance the late Bahawder had been consulted by his prince, who had,
as it appears, (knowing my character, and not caring to do anything rash
in his attack upon so formidable an enemy,) sent forward the unfortunate
Pitan to reconnoitre the fort; he was to have done yet more, as I
learned from the attendant Puneeree Muckun, who was, I soon found out,
an old favorite with the Bobbachy--doubtless on account of his honesty
and love of repartee.

"The Bahawder's lips are closed," said he, at last, trotting up to me;
"has he not a word for old Puneeree Muckun?"

"Bismillah, mashallah, barikallah," said I; which means, "My good
friend, what I have seen is not worth the trouble of relation, and fills
my bosom with the darkest forebodings."

"You could not then see the Gujputi alone, and stab him with your
dagger?"

[Here was a pretty conspiracy!] "No, I saw him, but not alone; his
people were always with him."

"Hurrumzadeh! it is a pity; we w