OF THE OLD WOULD. ]77 



and the under parts of the body easily enougli ; 

 and we found that a hardened rifle-ball would 

 enter any part of the back or head, which have 

 been stated to be shot-proof by some writers. In 

 the eveniiifi: we had another nautch, which was 

 prolonged until the " short hours/' when we distri- 

 buted our " largess " to the votaries of Terpsichore 

 and turned in. 



On the morrow we started for Andior en route 

 for Combie Jungles, and as the distance was not 

 much over twelve miles, and small game was said 

 to be abundant, we determined to shoot our way, 

 having our horses following in case any of us being 

 tired. 



My little nag " Gooty " was a thoroughly broken 

 shooting-pony, and, although the Earian system had 

 not then come out, a perfect understanding existed 

 between us : he would come at my call or whistle ; 

 stand perfectly quiet when ordered ; allow me to fire 

 from between his ears, without flinching ; would take 

 the water like a duck ; was famous in a scrambhi 

 across country ; had no fear, and could almost do 

 everything but speak. He came into my hands in 

 a strange way ; I was encamped outside the village 

 of Nandeir, being en route from Hydrabad to See- 

 tabuldee, and tired and overcome with lassitude, 

 having ridden from Mudnoor, a distance of fifty- 

 two miles, in the heat of the day ; I was lounging 

 on a carpet stretched in front of my tent, enjoying 

 the soothing fragrance of my hookah, and amusing 



M 



