284 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



murmured " Mile, mile," which means " kneel." Under the 

 mango tree, with his wicked little eyes blinking, stood the 

 huge brute and for a moment it looked as if he was 

 going to repeat his charge and annihilate the intrepid leader, 

 but slowly Slack shoved forward his delicate offering, till a 

 soft smile could be distinctly seen roaming over the monster's 

 countenance ; at first he somewhat suspiciously put out his 

 trunk, and took a pull, breaking off only a couple of plantains, 

 but one taste was enough ; a second lug took the entire bunch, 

 and into his enormous cavity it was soon securely tucked. Mean- 

 while two plucky mahouts, who had crept close up to him un- 

 noticed, quickly enchained his back legs. Then rose in the mid- 

 might air a wild shout of Collector Sahib ke jai and everyone 

 knew the excitement was all over and the disturber of the night's 

 rest safely shackled. Cheering uproariously soldiers and planters 

 shouldered the hero of the hour and, in spite of his vigorous 

 resistance, bore Mr. Slack back in triumph to the carriage. 

 Full speed they tore along the road, thirsty warriors indeed, 

 but on arrival at the spot where they had left Mr. Stevenson 

 and his Tommies they missed the former and were told he had 

 gone to re-assure a nervous gentleman that all danger was 

 over. On arrival at the camp Stevenson was found sampling 

 a tin of Oxford sausages, and aa empty beer bottle 

 showed that he approved most heartily of Pilsener. Down the 

 warriors flopped into chairs and Harry suddenly recollecting 

 he had a dozen of Messrs. Deutz and Gilderman's Goldlack 

 champagne, which had been thoughtfully presented to him by 

 that enterprising firm Messrs. Cutler Palmer and Co., in case 

 he felt overcome with hard work, it was fished out of his tent 

 and they were soon in the very zenith of enjoyment, pronounc- 

 ing the brand most excellent and the donors jolly good fellows. 

 Loud rang the huzzahs as they drank with all honours the 

 health of the saviour of the Camp and what a supper they 

 made ; it was the third for some, but soon the ambrosial god 



