There are no windows looking into the outer world, only a thick stone wall pierced with holes slanting upward, so that if a curious spouse looked out she would see nothing lower than the stars. Amber is an immense palace, and could quite accommodate a rajah with a court of a thousand attendants

There were some beautiful views from the terrace, and we sat in the shade between the columns and looked into the valley beyond, over which the sun was streaming in midday splendor. We should like to have remained, but our elephants had been down to the water to lap themselves about, and were now returning, refreshed, to bear us back to Jeypoor. We had only given ourselves a day for the town, and we had to return the call of the Prince, which is a serious task in Eastern etiquette. Mr. Borie was quite beaten down and used up by the sun and the wabbling, wearisome elephant ride, but we succeeded in persuading him to make the descent in a chair as Mrs. Grant had done. While Mr. Borie and Mrs. Grant were off swinging and lolling down the hill, the rest of us took a short cut among the ruins, leaping from stone to stone, watching the ground carefully as we went, to see that we disturbed no coiled and sleeping cobra, until we came upon our huge and tawny brutes, and were wabbled back to our carriages and in our carriages to town.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE JUNGLES OF JEYPOOR THE COLONEL TRIES HIS SKILL AT BOAR HUNTING · - THE VISIT TO BHURTPOOR THE RUINS OF FUTTEHPOOR SIKRA- · ARRIVAL AT AGRA THE TAJ - THE GENERAL EFFECT OF THE MAUSOLEUM INSIDE THE PALACE AN ENTERTAINMENT AND FAREWELL · A HINDOO PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW OFF FOR DELHI.

The jungles of Jeypoor are famous for their abundance of wild beasts. Colonel Grant, who had had some experience in hunting on our great Western plains, became anxious to try his skill here, and it was not long before an opportunity presented itself. The hunt and its attendant circumstances are thus described:- An officer of the Maharajah's household, the principal hunter, and famous among the hunters in India, waited upon us at the British residency, and said that at six next morning he would be ready to accompany any of us to the jungle who cared to go, and would direct the hunt. The Doctor was disposed to volunteer, and if the General himself had not been under engagements which he could not put aside, I think he would have ventured out, if for no other reason than to have a good stiff ride in the jungle. Mr. Borie preferred to remain with the General, and the Colonel alone of the party went into the hunt. At six, our party left the residency, and drove out in the cool of the morning for six or seven miles. When they came to the jungle, horses were in readiness, with bullock-carts, and a swarm of attendants. The Colonel had had his own share of hunting on the frontiers, and as a cavalryman had a good eye and a good

seat. There were fire-arms along, to meet any other animal that might venture upon them. Not unfrequently, when looking for a pig, you may stumble upon a tiger or a panther or a bear, when the conditions of the hunt change.

Our party were prepared for such an emergency, but it did not come. When they came to the ground, they mounted. The Colonel rode with the chief sportsmen and an interpreter. There were sixteen horsemen, two camels, two bullock-carts, and beaters on foot. The chief was a fine, comely, lithe young man, who rode a horse like an Indian, with a keen, piercing eye, who looked upon the jungle as upon home, and knew every feature of it. He wore a padded gown or riding-coat, which looks like one of our comfortable morning wrappers, made of calico, and over this a flowing silk or brocaded tunic as a mark of his rank. When you go on the hunting-ground, the party divide, at distances far enough apart to cover a mile of the jungle. There are beaters on foot, who go into the grass and beat the game towards you, making loud noises. If you pass a sow or her young, you keep on, allowing them to root at peace or scamper away. If a boar is seen, the signal is given, either by a whistle or a call, sometimes by firing a pistol. Some of the beaters have pistols, so that if the boar should make a break and try to escape, they can fire a blank shot, and turn him. The boar will turn at the noise and the flash; but if the boar is in distance, you gather your reins, brace yourself in your saddle, take your spear, and run at full speed. The boar always seeks flight. If at all in condition, he will go at a pace which no horse can keep. But this does not last long. The first burst over, and you gain on him. In time you ride him down, and, as you pass, you drive the spear into his flanks, or, if you can, into his back, so as to sever his spine. But this is not often done. The law of the chase is that the