Departure From Horncastle — Recruiting Sergeant — Kauloes and Lolloes.

Leaving Horncastle I bent my steps in the direction of the east. 179 I walked at a brisk rate, and late in the evening reached a large town, 180 situate at the entrance of an extensive firth, or arm of the sea, which prevented my further progress eastward. Sleeping that night in the suburbs of the town, I departed early next morning in the direction of the south. A walk of about twenty miles brought me to another large town, 181 situated on a river, where I again turned towards the east. At the end of the town I was accosted by a fiery-faced individual, somewhat under the middle size, dressed as a recruiting sergeant.

‘Young man,’ said the recruiting sergeant, ‘you are just the kind of person to serve the Honourable East India Company.’

‘I had rather the Honourable Company should serve me,’ said I.

‘Of course, young man. Well, the Honourable East India Company shall serve you — that’s reasonable. Here, take this shilling; ‘t is service-money. The Honourable Company engages to serve you, and you the Honourable Company; both parties shall be thus served; that’s just and reasonable.’

‘And what must I do for the Company?’

‘Only go to India; that’s all.’

‘And what should I do in India?’

‘Fight, my brave boy! fight, my youthful hero!’

‘What kind of country is India?’

‘The finest country in the world! Rivers bigger ............