52 THE HUNTING GEOUNDS 



plenty got ; suppose master stop here few days, 

 plenty, plenty shooting. This dhoby man, very 

 good shekavry, know all this country, shoot plenty 

 years in this jungle ; other day kill one cheeta, now 

 bring master skin, suppose some gentleman want 

 buggy mat." 



"Well ! that will do," said I ; "go all of you to 

 the tent, and Yacoob Khan (my head-servant) may 

 give each of you a glass of rackee and some to- 

 bacco ; after which you will all go to the village of 

 Botta Singarum, and there find out all you can 

 about the haunts of this tiger. Promise the vil- 

 lagers plenty of huchsheech (presents) if they assist 

 you, and I will come with Kistimah, the peon, after 

 I have had breakfast. Chineah, take care that no 

 shot is fired at deer or peafowl. Do not loiter on 

 the road, for I shall not be long after you ; and 

 keep a bright look out for the tiger's pugs (foot- 

 prints.) Well, gentlemen," continued I, to the other 

 ofiicers, " you have heard the news ; who is going 

 after the man-eater with me? I intend starting 

 immediately after breakfast for the village, near 

 which he is said to prowl ; then, what steps I may 

 take, will depend upon the information I may there 

 receive." 



" Oh ! we will all go, except the doctor," exclaimed 



W , " and he will take charge of our camp, as 



he does not shoot, and has an engagement, which as 

 there is a lady in the case, must not on any account 

 be put off. What say you, 'Sawbones,' will you 



