Round the Camp Fire. igi 



signified to forest and other minions that the efforts of the 

 holder were to meet with a rosy success, while a plain 

 white passport was a tacit indication of the blankness of 

 the unfortunate recipient's prospects ! 



So much for the more depraved side of the question. 

 Let us now take the more usual case of the district official 

 of open-handed generosity who, though keen himself, 

 wishes to share sport fairly with visitors. Here again, 

 alas ! we experience the deceitfulness of this land of our 

 exile; for the mere fact of the " Dipty Sahib " being fond 

 of shooting erects a formidable stumbling-block in the path 

 of our ' outsider.' Even against his orders, his dusky 

 subordinates, appreciatively scenting some fancied subtlety, 

 redouble their efforts on his behalf ; and his kindly inten- 

 tions are likely to be frustrated by the very people he may 

 have deputed to help the stranger that is within his gates. 



Some years ago a good fellow of this description had 

 invited a young subaltern to join him in his annual tiger- 

 shoot ; but do what he would to place his guest in the 

 most favourable positions, the tiger was invariably driven 

 up to the post which he himself had taken up. 



Realizing at length that tigers were assets apparently too 

 valuable to his shikari to be thrown away on a youthful and 

 unknown visitor, the host bethought himself of a stratagem. 



" Now then, Daghabaz Khan! " said he to the astute 

 individual who occupied a position analogous to that 

 of head keeper, " this won't do ! The Chota Sahib is 

 not getting any sport. Put him in the best position 

 again, will you, and see that the tiger goes to him 

 this time ! " 



" Sahib! " replied the Oriental, with a perfectly acted 

 appearance of injured innocence. u Have I not been doing 

 so all along, according to your honour's commands? 



