286 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



ward, and taking with me a couple of horsemen and my gun- 

 bearers, I met the Eajah at an early hour. He was escorted 

 by a large following of Mekranees armed with swords and 

 guns. After riding about five miles we were met by the 

 shikarees, who had been out since the previous day. They 

 assured us that tigers were in the neighbourhood ; but they 

 could give no positive information as to their actual position. 

 We therefore dismounted. The Eajah, who looked as if he 

 had spent a severe night, drank water. Such of the party as 

 were addicted to tobacco lit their pipes, and some worked up 

 a little Dutch courage by a dose of opium. 



After consultation I was informed that a tract of jungle 

 was to be driven by beaters, while the guns were sent ahead 

 to intercept the game. I went off with the Eajah, but I soon 

 saw that every man present who carried a firearm considered 

 himself a " gun of position," and as such entitled, like Lords 

 in an English shooting party, to go forward. This promised ill 

 for sport ; but, being a guest, I resigned myself to my fate, 

 and, mounting a tree at the place assigned to me, I awaited 

 the approach of the beaters. The Eajah, accompanied by 

 eight or nine men, sat in other trees about 200 yards to 

 my right, while many others, in groups of two and three, 

 posted themselves according to their fancy. A strong odour 

 of tobacco pervaded the air, and the noise of coughing and 

 suppressed talking, accompanied by the bubbling of hookahs, 

 was incessant. My anticipations were fully carried out ; 

 we saw nothing ; and at the end of the beat I went up to the 

 Eajah, and suggested that I should have the arrangement of 

 the next drive. This being settled, I took the Eajah, with 

 two of his attendants, forward, together with my own gun- 

 bearers and the head shikaree. All other men were directed 

 to go with the beaters. 



