TOLD BY THE DOCTOR 



IT was a wet night in the rains, and late. Most of 

 our fellows had left the mess, and the old Doctor 

 and we two, after several games of ' Snookers/ had 

 passed into the ante-room and flung ourselves into 

 deep chairs. 



The conversation turned to shikar. Ours was a little 

 station where much of the after-dinner talk hinged on 

 shooting topics, for many of us were keen sportsmen, and 

 there was more game to be had in the neighbourhood than 

 is to be found round and about most military stations now- 

 adays. 



We were recalling reminiscences of bygone days, and 

 each had some little anecdote to relate of past shooting 

 seasons, which led us away into a series of discussions and 

 controversies that lasted well into the already far-spent 

 night, when the Doctor, calling for a fresh cigar, said : 

 " Well, boys, I'll spin you a yarn that I seldom care to 

 relate, for the truth is that, looking back now, I myself 

 can scarcely believe that it ever occurred. I don't ask you 

 to believe a word of it, mind you let it pass as a yarn. 

 But wait " 



"Quihi?" 



"ffamtrJ" 



" Three big whiskies and sodas ! " 



Our good old Doctor was one of the real old school, and 

 although, in deference to the latest innovation, we called 



70 



