VENGEANCE OF JHAPOO THE GOND 283 



bait so irresistibly tempting to his kind. I remember, with 

 the last eddies of consciousness, reviewing the Colonel's 

 tale, until man-eating tigers, the scene so long ago at 

 Manjrod, old hags, leopards, and jacks-in-boxes that un- 

 expectedly projected withered and grinning corpses, were 

 intermingled in the fantastic and inconsequent medley 

 of semi-unconsciousness. Then came the dreamless sleep 

 of those who make their bed under the open, starry sky. 



" Sahib ! sahib ! " came the low mournful call by which 

 we exiles in the East are accustomed to be daily aroused 

 by our patient attendants. It was early morning and 

 almost cold. The morning star was high, and already 

 dawn reddened the east. My orderly stood at a distance, 

 passing a rag with the air of an artist over my well-kept 

 rifle. He approached at a signal. 



" There are tigers ! " was his laconic remark. 



" Tigers ! Where?" I grunted under the blanket. 



" In the jungle." 



" Without doubt ! " I returned, with luxurious half-closed 

 eyes. " It is their habit to remain in such places, oh 

 excellent one ! " 



" Without doubt, sahib" came the grave response ; " but 

 they are here here in the jungle where your honour sat 

 last night." 



" That is well, oh Ramreka ! Do thou go, then, and tell 

 them to approach yet a little closer ! " And I turned on 

 my side with a lazy smile, while a short silence ensued. 



" In your honour's hearing came there no sounds during 

 the time of night?" 



" None, oh brave one. None save that of a great owl 

 thar sat awhile under the moon and cried, ' Come, Ram- 

 reka ! Come!'" 



" Nay, sahib ! But of a truth and no jest did I and 

 all your servants hear numerous tigers calling below this 

 hill at the first cockcrow. As also the voice of one that 

 drove them away, as it were, with screamings and abuse," 



