KURUKWAHI 219 



one. Some heavy spots of rain followed and I held 

 on to what belongings I could until the servants 

 came running round. They carried the bed into the 

 veranda with all speed, and I brought on anything 

 I could find. Another enormous gust came, and a 

 cloud of dust and straw was blown into our faces; 

 there was a crash and half of the thatched roof of 

 the bungalow was torn off, and that, with many 

 pieces of wood and lath, landed on the very spot 

 my bed had been standing. Then down streamed 

 deluges of rain, and it was difficult to find a dry 

 corner in the house anywhere, for shelter. The 

 servants' houses remained standing, happily. 



My shoot was coming to an end, and, as storms were 

 beginning and a tent uncomfortable, I gave it up and 

 started for Chanda, the nearest town, about eighty 

 miles away, and several days' march. I travelled 

 by cart at night and had to pass through a cutting, 

 sheltered by dark, overhanging trees. My cart was 

 in advance and the cartman pulled up and said we 

 must wait for the other two carts to come up, as 

 there had been a mail robbery there a day or two 

 before; one man had his leg broken and the other 

 was badly hurt in trying to save the mail-bags. 

 The thieves, after securing their loot, got away. 

 His voice was shaking and he seemed really frightened, 

 but was cheered at the sight of my revolver, and the 

 other carts and servants driving up. As we drove 

 through the place they all talked very loudly and 

 continued shouting and coughing for some time 

 afterwards, though there were no highwaymen this 

 time. 



