Pantkers and Leopards (Asiatic], 285 



there untouched ; the men nowhere ! I examined 

 the ground and the trunks of the trees, but could 

 discern nothing. I began to suspect it was a plant 

 that the Cotwal and villagers wanted to get rid of 

 me, and had got up this tale to frighten me but yet 

 again why should they do that ? There was not 

 much game in the neighbourhood, I should only re- 

 main a few days until I heard from " Verderer," and 

 in the meantime I should be a source of profit and 

 not a loss to them. Why then try and get rid of me ? 

 Mysterious and unaccountable as were the disappear- 

 ances, I made up my mind to see it through. Three 

 of my relays arrived during the day. I had them 

 picketed in camp to give them rest, intending 

 to send them the next day further on, so as to be 

 able to get over the ground more quickly in getting 

 to my destination. I put the remaining shikarie 

 and the orderly, both well armed, on the tree from 

 which the watchers the night before had disappeared, 

 and took up my position in the other. There was 

 no moon, or a very young one, and I heard not the 

 slightest noise. Fagged and tired, bitten with mos- 

 quitoes, I was off my perch at the dawn of day, 

 and going to the other tree, found the orderly and the 

 shikarie all right. I made sure it was all nonsense, 

 and went to the tent and sent for the Cotwal. He 

 was nowhere to be found. There was a hole in the 

 roof of his house, and though asleep with two wives in 

 the same room, neither of whom had been disturbed, 

 their lord and master was non est ! Then there was a 

 hullabaloo and no mistake. The villagers packed up 

 their goods and said they would remain there no 

 longer. Nothing I could say would deter them. 



