4 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



merit, the Eajah turned to him and said, 

 "I know, Russell Sahib, that your 

 Government is powerful, but its com- 

 mands are not obeyed as implicitly as 

 mine are." " Here, you two/' said he, 

 calling two of his people, "climb up that 

 cocoa-nut tree." Up went the men and 

 looked round for orders before descend- 

 ing, "Let go, hands and feet!" The 

 men instantly obeyed and were both 

 killed by the fall. " Call the wives and 

 children of these men," pursued the 

 Rajah. The poor women appeared 

 before him trembling but in silence. 

 " What is this which has been done ? " 

 " The Rajah's good pleasure has been 

 done," they answered. Then the 

 murderer turned triumphantly to Mr. 

 Russell. 



