OF THE OLD WORLD. 43 



on account of this short notice, he had become 

 * lachar ' (desperately miserable) when he thought 

 that, perhaps, we might want something that he 

 had not had time to provide." 



As the old man had provided plenty of " gram " 

 (beans) and forage for our horses, with a fine table 

 sheep and fat fowls for ourselves, we declared our- 

 selves satisfied, ujion which his face brightened up, 

 and stroking down his long gray beard, he ex- 

 claimed several times in a very complaisant manner, 

 "Allah talah!" "Al-hunida lillah ! " (thank God! 

 God be praised !) 



" I should much like to halt a few days here," 

 said Mac, the senior subaltern, addressing Captain 



W , who commanded the infantry detachment, 



" for there must be splendid shooting in those dense 

 ravines." 



" Yes," answered W , " it looks quite ' a 



tigerish spot,' What say you, old man ? Have 

 you not plenty of 'shekar'* here?" continued he, 

 addressing the patel. 



" Yes, sahib," answered he, " there is plenty of 

 shekar to be found in these jungles. Tigers, bison, 

 bears, panthers, elk, milghau, antelope, and spotted 

 deer are to be found, besides all kinds of small 

 game ; but if the ' sahib log ' (gentlemen) wish to 

 be successful, they must take some one with them 

 who knows the haunts of the animals ; so, with 

 your permission, I will take my leave for the pre- 



* " Shekar," sport. 



