THE OUTER HIM ALA YAH. 11 



tually responds to a call, or obeys a direction with 

 instant alacrity, our servants in this case, deafened with 

 the cold, and shrinking into themselves, were all in the 

 wonderful sitting posture natural to the race, huddled 

 up near the cooking fires, toasting their bodies, and 

 smoking that universal panacea, the hubble-bubble 

 regardless of their masters or their wants. 



It required some vigorous language to set them 

 agoing ; but at last duty prevailed over inclination, the 

 greatest activity ensued, and a very fair dinner was 

 served up. The doors of the tent were well secured, to 

 prevent the entrance of the night air ; the candles shed 

 a cheerful light around; and having done justice to the" 

 repast, a tumbler of hot punch and a Manila rendered 

 our position one of comfort, if not luxury. Every now 

 and then the howling of jackals broke on the silent 

 night, and my companion placed his gun in such a 

 position, that if any leopard or jackal should disturb 

 our slumbers by a too close proximity, he could with 

 ease reach it, and render the visit of the intruder longer 

 than he bargained for. 



The comfortable regularity of the heavy breathing of 

 the sleeping servants, who, coiled up in blankets and 

 nestled in straw, were stowed away till the morrow, 

 gradually infected us with drowsiness ; and, having turned 

 in, we became oblivious even of the tea-gardens that lay 

 so near. 



Not being disturbed by the bugle that usually awakens 

 the drowsy sub. and summonses him to duty, the en- 

 trance of the khitmudgars with a morning cup of tea 



