TACKLING A TUSKER. 47 



my drill, and mastering or endeavouring to 

 master all those intricate details of regimental 

 interior economy, a knowledge of which is sup- 

 posed to be necessary for every future budding 

 general. I could tell the most exacting inspect- 

 ing-general officer the price of a flannel shirt, 

 button-brush, tunic, etc. in fact, of all the arti- 

 cles of Tommy Atkins' kit and had been certified 

 by the adjutant as being able to manoeuvre a 

 company without hopelessly or otherwise club- 

 bing it. But, during the time I spent in acquiring 

 this vast and varied store of knowledge, I am 

 afraid my heart was more in the jungle than on 

 the parade ground, and I longed for the time and 

 opportunity when I should fire my first shot at 

 big game. I had always, I fancy, been thought 

 rather a ' duffer ' in the regiment, and, though my 

 brother-officers were nearly without exception a 

 set of thoroughly good fellows and honourable 

 gentlemen, they were none of them imbued with 

 that passion for field sports which dominated my 

 mind ; and consequently when one night at mess 

 I announced my intention of starting next day 

 for the valley of Dehra Doon, some fourteen 

 miles distant, 1 was assailed with a volley of 

 chaff, and got many good-natured hints that I 

 should spend my leave with more enjoyment to 

 myself arid benefit my health more by going to 



