LOOTING THE RAJA'S BOAT. 29 



groaning, a kettle is added, and, feeling they have done a 

 hard day's work, the two brothers squat down on the bank 

 and look at ns. We can't help thinking that the Eaja's 

 captain has played ns false, and return to the bungalow 

 saying we shall hire another boat. 



In the afternoon, whilst Alan was out shooting, the two 

 came up at the head of a band of coolies, bearing trium- 

 phantly one dish, two pans, two spoons, and a stewing-pot, 

 and they all sit down on the ground around me, and insist 

 on my inspecting the reinforcement of their batterie de 

 cuisine. They have evidently looted the Raja's boat to the 

 last straw, and explain that although there are " many more 

 beautiful things " they have all been lent to other Sahibs on 

 the river. I have said it will do and they walk their men 

 off again. I have a horrid suspicion that they are only 

 borrowed to show me, and with no intention of putting 

 them on our boat. 



It was past three o'clock when our ekkas arrived. At 

 first I did not recognise them, for our familiar piebald was 

 gone, and a black pony had taken his place. It appeared that 

 his indignant owner had removed him from the road, and 

 replaced him with this animal. 



By five we are all on board and fairly off, when Santan 

 comes to tell me sorrowfully that the cooking utensils 

 I had passed "are all holes." As a housekeeper 1 led 

 I have lost his good opinion for ever ; still 1 can't help 



