THE " PATIALE " ON FIRE. 43 



The first party, who had gone after another boar, had 

 also killed it, and though not a big pig he showed good 

 fight, and he managed to give a slight cut to LyalPs 

 horse who had got first spear. I forgot to mention 

 that the second big boar killed measured exactly the 

 same as No. 1, viz.,38^", and had a pair of splendid sharp 

 tushes. 



Our horses being rather done up we made our way 

 towards the village where the tiffin-boxes had been sent. 



On our way we noticed a good deal of smoke coming 

 out of the patiale, but took it only for the remains of the 

 fireworks we had let off, and the ignited jute from the 

 bombs burning. 



A Baboo's garden-house being handy we ordered 

 the tiffin-boxes to be brought there. While discussing 

 their contents we heard the crowd who had come to 

 see the shikar, shout, " The patiale burns ! " and the next 

 moment flames and smoke shot up high in the air. 

 Burnt leaves and grass began flying on all sides, and 

 at one time we thought the village was in danger. Old 

 Archie put a rather long face on, for, as he said, if any 

 thing serious was to happen, they would be all down on 

 him as being the most substantial among those present 

 there. We were saved, however, from such a serious 

 consequence as the burning of the village, though we 

 had to pay some compensation for the damage done to 

 the patiale, which was a mere trifle compared to what 

 we should have had to pay if any part of the village 

 had burnt down. 



