Storia do Mogor 264.2

264.2

I have seen that many Europeans newly arrived in India, and thus without experience, have lost knives, forks, and spoons of silver tied up in cloths along with cheese, meat, or bread, a dog having carried them off. It is experience that turns a man into a master-hand. Yet for all my experience of these thieves, I did not fail myself to be taken in. Carrying with me a bag of sugar to refresh myself during the season of great heat, I hung it up in the middle of the room, which, as usual in saraes, had no door. I fancied it was secure there, the place being somewhat lofty. My artfulness was of no avail, for when day dawned I found the bag torn and empty, and the ground showed signs of having been licked by dogs. When these animals find themselves at such feasts and occasions, you may be certain there is no fighting, so as not to be heard. Another case happened to me in a village. To make my food secure, I placed it within a basket fastened by a lock, which I had placed quite close to me. In all confidence I went to sleep and took my rest, but when morning came the basket was not to be seen. I supposed some thief had been there and carried it off. On making a diligent search, I found the basket outside the village all torn to pieces. There was no food, but the other contents were intact.