Panthers and Leopards (Asiatic). 283 



the pitching of the tent. The Cotwal appeared, 

 accompanied by a posse of armed men, and salaamed 

 before squatting down. It was now quite dark, but 

 numerous torches illuminated the darkness. u What 

 is this, Cotwal?" I asked. " Sahib," he replied, " I 

 cannot say, but some devil has taken to devastating 

 the country ; only three days ago I lost my only son. 

 He was brave to distraction. He would have it that 

 it was not a demon, but some animal, and he sat up 

 with Peermal, our shikarie, and said he would shoot 

 it ; but we heard no report during the night, and in 

 the morning my son had disappeared, and his com- 

 panion was found in the topmost branches of the tree, 

 unable to give any account of what had taken place, 

 and he has been ever since a drivelling idiot. Sahib, 

 we cannot remain here much longer, unless indeed, 

 your honour, by your magic, will relieve us of our 

 enemy. Not a night passes without some one dis- 

 appearing, and the whole village is in mourning." " I 

 agree with your son," I said ; " it is some animal who 

 is killing the people. Where are your shikaries ? Bring 

 them here." "Sahib," he replied, "we have only 

 three left ; two have been killed or spirited away, but 

 they shall be at your honour's feet in a few minutes." 

 My "boy" then announced dinner, and I told the 

 Cotwal to have the men ready in half-an-hour. Whilst 

 partaking of my frugal meal, which consisted of Oxford 

 sausages as they were then made not the apologies 

 they have since become and an egg currie and rice, 

 washed down by a bottle of Bass' beer cooled in 

 saltpetre, I asked my servants all about the sup- 

 posed devil. No two accounts agreed, beyond the 

 fact that a person or two disappeared in the most 



