Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 2.djvu/40

 destroyed by a tiger sometimes rides upon his head, and guides him from his pursuers.

I have never seen it done in India, but I have heard from very good authority, that there are men who profess to be able to tame the most vicious horse by whispering into his ear; a man will go up to a violent animal, whisper to it, and the creature will become tranquil. Catlin, in his account of the North American Indians, says: "After having caught a wild horse with a lasso, the Indian gradually advances until he is able to place his hand on the animal's nose, and over its eyes, and at length to breathe in its nostrils; when it soon becomes docile and conquered, so that he has little else to do than to remove the hobbles from its feet, and lead or ride it into camp." And in another part of the work, Catlin says: "I have often, in concurrence with a known custom of the country, held my hands over the eyes of the calf, and breathed a few strong breaths into its nostrils; after which I have, with my hunting companions, rode several miles into our encampment, with the little prisoner busily following the heels of my horse the whole way, as closely and as affectionately as its instinct would attach it to the company of its dam! This is one of the most extraordinary things I have met with in this wild country; and although I had often heard of it, and felt unable exactly to believe it, I am now willing to bear testimony to the fact, from the numerous instances I have witnessed since I came into the country."

In explanation of the coin, marked No. 9, in the plate entitled "Superstitions of the Natives," I must give an extract from the letter of a friend:—

"To entertain that amenity so requisite for the obtaining a note from you, I send, under the seal wherewith I seal my letter, 'a little money,' as a first instalment. The form of the coin is meant to be octagonal; that form is more evident on those that are larger. Now for the coin's explanation: It bears the seal of Rajah Gowrinath Singh, who succeeded his father Luckhishingh, in Assam, 1780; he was of a hot temper, and a liberal. After reigning five years, he was expelled by Bhurrethi Moran Rajah of Bengmoran. Gowrinath Singh fled to Gowhatty, and having