MY FIRST TIGER. 17 



pony), on which I mounted and so returned. I 

 suffered considerably from the animal's spine, for, 

 like most natives' animals, it was anything but fat. 

 The owner of the pampered steed proposed a deal, 

 but I replied I was not using horseflesh to feed my 

 dogs. He explained that it was not to eat, but to 

 play polo on I should find it useful. Whereupon I 

 gravely explained it was rather small for the purpose ; 

 and no doubt he asserts to this day that a sahib would 

 have bought his pony for polo, if it had only been a 

 hand higher. 



Although the rains this year had not been plenti- 

 ful in the district, they had unfortunately been 

 sufficient to mature that pest, the abominable spear- 

 grass. As I had been ill-advised enough to wear 

 putties,^ my shins and ankles were quite raw. There 

 are two kinds of this detestable plant, but the effect of 

 both is the same i.e., that the spear-shaped seed 

 catches on one's garments and works through the 

 thickest cloth, and even through the eyelets of 

 one's boots, causing a punctured wound. Fortunately 

 it only flowers after the rains, and is all gone 

 by November. During the interval it is a perfect 

 pest to the sportsman, and even to horses wearing 

 bandages. 



The next day, the 7th of September, I was 

 up before the sun, and hastily disposing of my chota 

 hazri (early tea), I followed my shikari to the place 



* Bandages of cloth, similar to those used for horses, and 

 similarly put on, much used by Europeans in India. They are worn 

 by all branches of the army. 



c 



