2 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



early troubles of my griffinage (i.e., the goose 

 step, adjutant's drill, &c.) in a weak moment after 

 dinner I obtained three days' division leave from 

 my colonel (a regular Tartar) who during the tem- 

 porary absence of General A n, was in command 



of the garrison, in order to accompany my great 

 chum, "Walter M., in a sporting expedition to the 

 Jaghir of the Killadar* of the hill-fort of Bhoonghir, 

 which was about twenty miles from our canton- 

 ments. 



Walter, who commanded the company to which 

 I was attached, had been my Mentor in all duty 

 matters from the day I first joined the regiment, 

 and he now undertook to initiate me in the mys- 

 teries of " Shekar," in all its branches, a task which 

 he of all others was well qualified to perform, being 

 well known as the most fearless hunter and unerring 

 shot in a country pre-eminent for the excellence of 

 its sportsmen. 



.Years have rolled since poor Walter went to 

 " that bourne from whence no traveller returns ; " 

 and the kindest heart that ever warmed human 

 bosom has ceased to beat, for my friend sleeps his 

 last under the shade of a giant forest tree, and his 

 name is seldom called to mind, save when, at the 

 close of day, his old comrades assemble round the 

 social board and speak of " moving incidents by 

 flood and field;" of hair-breadth " 'scapes," of mighty 

 feats and daring deeds, and an old hand pointing to 



* Killadar, the governor of a fort. 



