October 1st.—The dak came in the morning, and brought a letter for Tombs, containing a telegram from Meerut, ordering him down to take command of his troop of artillery immediately. This is serious, but as there is no further intelligence as to the revolt of the Punjaub Infantry, I am in hopes the story may prove one of the many falsehoods which are started from time to time in the out-stations of India by people who have nothing else to do. We went out shooting, and killed a few pheasants; but Hay said the cover was far too thick yet, and we were at least a month too soon in the field.

October 2nd.—We started from Chumbah at 8 o'clock this morning. The Rana waited on us, and we had a small durbar, at which I presented to him, in the name of our party (excepting, of course, Lord William Hay), a very excellent double-barrelled opera glass, with which he seemed greatly pleased. His special delight was, however, to look through the large end and admire the effect of distance produced on the scenery by that means; and he made all his ministers and people become, as he said, little children, by arranging them before him, and looking at them in the same manner. Our breakfast was sent on, and we halted by the roadside about an hour, finding the heat considerable. The country now has become more open, and barren, and less interesting; but the mountainsides are still tremendously steep.