TIGER SLAYER BY ORDER 



spilled some of the mixture over her sari and stained it ! 

 The fact that I had done this in my attempt to save her 

 life was, apparently in her estimation, no excuse for 

 damaging her clothes. 



Battling with epidemic, however, was not my only 

 trouble in those days, for in the process of the amalgama- 

 tion of the Bhil Corps with the Khandesh Constabulary, 

 which took place during this period, I had considerable 

 difficulties with the men ; the rearrangement of pay and 

 grades, etc., as well as the fear of losing distinction as a 

 separate corps, causing great dissatisfaction amongst the 

 latter. 



Finally matters became so serious that I had the ring- 

 leaders up before me, and after inquiring fully into their 

 grievance, summarily dismissed ten of their number. 

 These measures, though decidedly somewhat drastic, had, 

 however, the effect of quashing what might otherwise 

 have developed into a serious mutiny. 



Shortly afterwards, happening to be staying at Govern- 

 ment House at the time, his Excellency questioned me on 

 the subject, adding that he had received a number of 

 petitions in connection with their dismissals. However, 

 being fortunately able to satisfy him as to the necessity 

 for acting as I had done, he was good enough not only to 

 uphold my action, but to compliment me. 



To the north of my bungalow at Nundobar was a long 

 range of hills, covered with dense cactus bushes, affording 

 good shelter for such animals as bear, leopard, and wild 



Pig- 

 Riding out early one morning with a sowar * on the 

 chance of coming across a boar, I came suddenly on a huge 

 panther in the open. He had killed a chinkara,f and was 

 lying up under the shelter of some bushes. 



On seeing me he made off at once for the hillside some 

 sixty yards distant ; but as I was riding an exceptionally 

 staunch horse, and the ground was fairly level, I thought it 

 an excellent opportunity especially as the sowar was 



* Police trooper. f Ravine deer. 



68 



