JAUNTS IN THE JUNGLE. 127 



defunct ; and fain would I have beaten a most inglo- 

 rious retreat, if there had appeared the slightest loop- 

 hole of escape ; but I was completely hemmed in, and 

 on the platform before well aware of it. 



Trying, by every possible means, to screw my 

 courage to the sticking-point, I conjured up in my 

 mind's eye all the fellows I had seen killed by wild- 

 beasts, &c., in the jungle ; but it oozed out of my 

 fingers' ends faster than it entered my heart. 



Shortly, a murmur and motion in the crowd beto- 

 kened the advent of the murderers (father and son) 

 and, seated in a cart covered with black cloth, I pre- 

 sently perceived the two criminals, grubbing away at 

 curry and rice, out of two large bowls, as if their lives 

 depended on the issue ! 



Even when arrived at the foot of the drop, they 

 did not budge until they had finished the last morsel, 

 and when this was accomplished, they looked as if 

 they had consummated a most glorious action ; and 



then all I remember is, trying to look desperately 



savage, and that I did not faint ; but if ever I go 

 an inch hereafter to see my worst enemy throttled, 

 may his ghost 



But, no ! I am no Jephthah I hate rash vows . 



