LETTER II. FIRST TIGERS 



SUNDERBUNDS, New Year's Eve, 1908. 



I HAD been but a very few weeks in India when, 

 almost by accident, I heard of a good tiger in this 

 locality and decided coiite que cofde to try to get 

 him. 



I approached the Viceroy in some trepidation, as 

 the New Year dinner is an important official func- 

 tion which all members of Council are expected to 

 attend. 



I think His Excellency already realises that on 

 some points he and I are not likely to see eye to 

 eye, and this made it all the more difficult for me 

 to ask a somewhat indiscreet favour. 



But I had known him in former years as Mel- 

 gund, and have already realised that the old charm, 

 the old sweetness of disposition, and, above all, 

 the old sporting instinct are still to the fore. 

 The qualities which make it impossible not to feel 

 genuine affection for Lord Minto seem to have 

 developed rather than shrunk, and my request 

 was granted not only readily, but very gracefully. 



Mr. Meyer, the Agent to the Nawab of Dacca, 

 most kindly arranged it all, and Mackenzie, the 

 Secretary of the U.S. Club, equally kindly saw 

 to the food and drink for me. We left Calcutta 

 on Sunday night at 10.30, and reached Koolna 

 at 4 a.m. on Monday bitterly cold. We took 



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