118 THE OUT-STATION; OR, 



carrying his nose in a sling for a month or six weeks, 

 gave him such a practical lesson in natural history (as 

 far as knowing a tame buffalo from a wild one) as will 

 no doubt last him until Buddha relieves him from all 

 his earthly cares. 



There were times, however, when it was neither a 

 very easy nor agreeable matter to take a stroll for a 

 few miles by way of bringing home any delicacy one 

 might fancy for the important service of the day's 

 meal, and particularly so during the south-west mon- 

 soon, or rainy season, when for weeks together nothing 

 appeared to be visible but one incessant torrent of 

 rain one everlasting drip, drip, drip, from the ve- 

 randah roof, every now and then (by way of variety) 

 carried by an occasional gust of wind into the sitting- 

 room (there being no such luxuries as windows at out- 

 stations) and splashing one all over ; during the 

 middle of which, that " three gentlemen in one" (the 

 cook, butler, and footman) would poke his head 

 looking blacker than ever through the half-opened 

 door, and add to one's happy frame of mind by the 

 intelligence that 



" Master no got dinner !" 



Now there is something absolutely appalling 

 terrific dumb-foundering in such words at such a 

 season ! It pictures desolation doubly desolate ! 



The cry of " house on fire !" or the information that 

 the wife of your bosom the sharer of your joys, sor- 



