134 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



combines the offices of second whip and kennel huntsman to 

 the Ooty Hunt. In the former capacity he may be said to be 

 almost purely ornamental, his physical capabilities scarcely 

 sufficing to enable him to retain his saddle and to attend 

 to hounds at the same time, unless it be, as now, for the 

 comparatively peaceful period preceding a find. In the latter 

 role, however, he shines — if I may speak figuratively — like 

 patent varnish, and is verily the most wondrous nigger that 

 ever ate rice. He does not drink ! His lies are absolutely 

 white beside those of his brethren ! The proof of the pudding 

 being in the eating, his system of kennel is admirable — his 

 hounds carrying coats like satin (and this in India too ! ), and 

 being capable of a hot morning's work without a stern drooping 

 or an appetite failing. His method of pronunciation furnishes 

 a second complete nomenclature for the pack, which it would 

 puzzle any stranger to identify with our own ; and he relies 

 for his medicines entirely on some half-dozen prescriptions 

 picked up during his seventeen years of service. The in- 

 gredients and action of these are of course entirely unknown to 

 him ; but, as he appears to have learned the occasions for their 

 use, and has not poisoned a hound lately, we are quite content 

 to repose upon the result of his management, and to con- 

 gratulate ourselves on the fact that ours are about the only 

 hounds in India that can lay claim to their proper portion of 

 hair and health. Indeed, since the commencement of our 

 season, some ten weeks ago, there has not been an ailing hound 

 in kennel, save an occasional sufferer from cut or bruise : so at 

 least Mr. Veerasawmy may lay claim to the superior talent of 

 prevention. 



But to return to the pack, now slowly following a bee line 

 across the open downs. The " fast pack " are out this morning . 

 for, as drafting head and tail is quite out of the question in a 

 country where a foxhound is worth his weight in rupees — aye, 

 and more in these days of depreciation of silver and growing 

 appreciation of sport, two causes strongly affecting us Anglo- 

 Indians — the Master has adopted the expedient of dividing his 



