The Collector at once became very angry and calling his servants denounced them for committing robbery and disgracing him, and threatened that if any of them dared to go near the village again he would have them brought up and flogged. He offered to pay for the stuff stolen but the committee refused payment as they did not care for the value, but did not like the insolence and abuse. The Collector then thanked the committee for reporting the matter. He remarked to me that this probably happened wherever he went, and no one dared to report to him for fear of ill treatment. I replied that I had heard of men boasting that they liked to travel with Government officials, as it never cost them anything to live. He asked me about the villages and I gave him their history, of the fish supply in the tank and the rules about taking fish, not omitting the committee compelling Gulab, as a punishment, to eat the fish raw that he had caught, at which he was greatly amused. He afterwards made several visits to the village, calling upon me. We had some excellent fishing in the mornings at the tank, for he was one of Izaak Walton’s followers. On his return to the station he and his wife called on us, and we became the warmest friends, dining with each other frequently, in spite of the fellow who had charge of the calling list. I had another experience soon after, that was not quite so pleasant. The time for the settlement or re-assessment of the village lands arrived, and I went out to look after my interests while the Settlement Officer was present. I had never met this man, but I knew all about him from a to zed. I called at his tent and sent in my card, when it came back written upon, “Please state your business.” Had I not known it before, this would have shown me at once that he was English, for this is one of their ways of showing their self-importance and of snubbing, as I never met it in any other class. I wrote that I was the zemindar of the village, and left him to infer what he chose. Had I stated that I wished to become acquainted with him, he would likely have replied that he did not wish my acquaintance, or some similar remark to show that he was a gentleman; or if I had stated my business he might have sent word that he would send for me when he wanted me; and this would also have been English, you know. I was admitted to the august presence, with scarcely a nod from him, nor was I offered a seat. “Well,” said he with a brazen stare, “what can I do for you?” treating me as if I were some itinerant beggar. I was flustered and angry, for he had brass enough in his face and insolence in his manner to upset the temper of a saint. I mildly replied that as zemindar of the village I had come out of courtesy to him. “Well,” said he, “as I am about to take my bath, I will bid you good morning,” and out he went into another apartment.