Falconry in the Valley of the Indus (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ... After the murderous act above detailed, nothing seemed to prosper. Twice a covey of partridges rose and the Shikrah was sent in full pursuit, when a second hawk was inadvertently slipped, so that the danger of their "crabbing"* became imminent. And the quantity of cursing that accompanied these mishaps, instead of acting more Europeo as a sedative upon the cursers, exercised, as it usually does upon the Asiatic mind, all the proper functions of a stimulant. "The beasts have now brayed their full," whispered Hari Chand in my ear; "another minute and the kicking will begin. Are they not Belochies? With your Highness's permission I would remain at a certain distance, for these asses' foals never mind what they assault in their skittishness, provided that they can find some employment for their heels." Resisting my valorous Moonshee's proposal to "pad the hoof," I determined to act as a "friend of order," and, thanks to study of the native character, my benevolent efforts were crowned with success. Whilst the Ameer, too sullen to interfere, stood looking on apparently in hope of a row, I walked up, compelling Hari Chand to follow me, and, selecting the weaker party, began to "tell them of their faults" as the members of * When two hawks fight they are said to "crab." high-spirited English families love to do, that is to say, to overwhelm them with pointed and personal abuse. The tone of voice, a gruff base, like the basso cantante of an orchestra, withdrew attention from the rattling treble of the vocalization around. Mammu ceased to scream at Fauju; Mammed* forebore to reproach Ali with the sept pechts mortels, and Umar contented himself with internally yearning, instead of openly praying for, sudden death to descend upon the head of...