A TOUGH CUSTOMER. 17 



Central Provinces of India, where there was a 

 very good hog-hunting club called the Nagpore 

 Hunt, It was composed mostly of 'gunners' 

 (three batteries of artillery being quartered at 

 the station), and a rare lot of good sporting 

 fellows they were, one or two of the brigade staff, 

 a few of the native cavalry, and some three of my 

 own regiment, Her Majesty's 79th Highlanders. 

 The hunting season began about August, and 

 lasted till March. We had a meet lasting from 

 two to three days generally once a week, with a 

 ten days' meet at Christmas, which was a sort of 

 big picnic that some of the ladies of the station 

 generally graced with their presence, and another 

 ten days' meet in March to wind up the season. 

 Each member on joining the Hunt paid an en- 

 trance fee of ten rupees, and a small monthly 

 subscription besides. Out of these funds the 

 Hunt provided tents, shikaris, beaters, crockery, 

 butler, cook, and blacksmith ; and a fixed daily 

 charge was made for messing, which included 

 breakfast, tiffin, and dinner. Each member took 

 his own servants, liquor, and camp furniture. 

 During the hunting season a book used to be 

 sent round every Saturday giving the proposed 

 meet for the following week. If three members 

 put down their names as intending to hunt at 

 that particular meet, the Hunt camp, kit, etc., was 



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