I expected to see the streets here full of camels and elephants, since I had read so much about it in some descriptions:  but I saw only bailis drawn by oxen and a few horsemen, but neither camels nor elephants.

Towards evening we drove to Deinapore, {162} which is eight miles from Patna, along an excellent post-road, planted with handsome trees.

Deinapore is one of the largest English military stations, and contains extensive barracks, which almost constitute a town in themselves.  The town is but a short distance from the barracks.  There are many Mahomedans among the inhabitants, who surpass the Hindoos in industry and perseverance.

I here saw elephants for the first time on the Indian continent.  In a serai outside the town there were eight large handsome animals.

When we returned to the ship in the evening, we found it like a camp.  All kinds of articles were brought there and laid out for inspection; but the shoemakers were particularly numerous.  Their work appeared neat and lasting, and remarkably cheap.  A pair of men’s boots, for example, cost from one and a half to two rupees (3s. to 4s.); but it is true that twice as much is always asked for them.  I saw on this occasion the way in which the European sailors conduct bargains with the natives.  One of the engineers wanted to buy a pair of shoes, and offered a quarter of the price asked.  The seller, not consenting to this, took his goods back; but the engineer snatched them out of his hand, threw down a few beis more than what he had offered, and hastened to his cabin.  The shoemaker pursued him, and demanded the shoes back; instead of which he received several tough blows, and was threatened that if he was not quiet he should be compelled to leave the ship immediately.  The poor creature returned half crying to his pack of goods.

A similar occurrence took place on the same evening.  A Hindoo boy brought a box for one of the travellers, and asked for a small payment for his trouble; he was not listened to.  The boy remained standing by, repeating his request now and then.  He was driven away, and as he would not go quietly, blows were had recourse to.  The captain happened to pass accidentally, and asked what was the matter.  The boy, sobbing, told him; the captain shrugged his shoulders, and the boy was put out of the ship.

How many similar and even more provoking incidents have I seen?  The so-called “barbarian and heathen people” have good reason to hate us.  Wherever the Europeans go they will not give any reward, but only orders and commands; and their rule is generally much more oppressive than that of the natives.