FAREWELL TO THE SPEAR. 99 



formant was a tying rascal, and deserved a good 

 licking ! One of the party, however, mentioned 

 as the ' hero of the hog's-back ' in a previous 

 chapter, had a wonderful old dog, half Poly gar, 

 half bulldog, warranted to tackle anything, and 

 rejoicing in the name of ' Muzzle.' It was sug- 

 gested that Muzzle should be asked to decide the 

 vexed question ; and, accordingly, he was sent 

 for. He soon arrived, and, on reaching the edge 

 of the cover, began straining and tugging at his 

 leash in a manner that augured well for our hopes. 

 Giving orders to the dog-boy to loose him when 

 he heard a shout, we proceeded to post ourselves. 

 The party was divided into two, one half being 

 under the orders of the captain of the Hunt, 

 whilst the remainder were placed under my com- 

 mand ; and my party took up their position 

 at the low end of the cover, some hundred yards 

 away, at the edge of an awkward, boggy nullah. 

 All being in readiness, the signal was given, and 

 Muzzle being released he dashed into cover, with 

 a low whimper. Presently, I saw something, 

 which turned out to be a fine panther* (not a 

 tiger), sneak out, and advance towards us down 

 the nullah. Catching sight of us, however, she 

 sprang out, and dashed away across the open, 

 making for a field of dhall that lay some quarter- 



* Felis Pardus. 



