A good _surwan_ will always distinguish himself by the order of his cattle, by their freedom from injuries in consequence of galling under the saddle, and especially by the compact manner in which he places whatever burthen is to be carried. This should never exceed six maunds of 82lb each; though the Company require, in all their contracts, that the camels furnished for their service should carry much more. Possibly, on a soil suited to the camel’s foot, he may, on emergency, carry as far as eight maunds, equal to no less than 656lb; but such must not be expected to last. If the soil is boggy, half that weight will be found sufficient; especially where slippery; for, when overladen, the animal will, in such places, be very subject to ruin; his hind legs sliding asunder, so as to bring the pelvis to the ground: this, which is termed ‘splitting,’ renders him unable to rise, or, if raised, to proceed, in consequence of the violent injury sustained. On such an occasion the animal’s throat is cut by some good Mussulman, who, as he performs that operation, and during the time the blood is flowing, recites a prayer and benediction, whereby the meat, which is esteemed a great delicacy, is sanctified, and may be eaten. The _Syce_, or groom, attends but one horse, and has attached to him an under servant, whose business it is to provide grass for fodder, and to do various jobs relating to cleanliness, &c.: this may be looked upon as the extent of duty the latter has to perform while stationary; but, when marching, the assistant, or, as he is called, the _Gaus-kot_, (_i.e._ grass-cutter,) has to carry the pickets, headstall, head and heel ropes, curry-combs, cloathing, &c. &c. to the next place of encampment. The labor is certainly severe, but is undergone, with tolerable alacrity, under the hope of one day succeeding to the post of _syce_. In every country a good groom is invaluable; but if any where more particularly enhanced, it certainly is in India: the horses there being invariably high spirited, from want of castration, and often becoming, under the least provocation, or licence, incorrigibly vicious. There we see gentlemen, when mounted, afraid to approach each other within ten or twelve yards, lest their horses should begin fighting: some few have, indeed, been tempted, by the supposed passiveness of their respective steeds, to ride boot to boot; but rarely without experiencing some dreadful misfortune; many legs having been thus broken! Although much may depend upon the natural temper of a horse, still there will remain much in the power of the _syce_. If he be timid, and the animal spirited, the affair is soon over, by the latter gaining such an ascendancy as to render him ungovernable. Being once let loose, and a mare within sight, or scent, away goes the steed, completely disqualified for future saddling.