OF THE OLD WORLD. 289 



a bush from below, leaving loopholes all round to 

 fire through ; we then manufactured a rest for our 

 rifles, and a bamboo ladder to go up and down 

 more easily, after which we carpeted the interior, 

 and furnished it with a couple of mattresses, pil- 

 lows, and sundry refreshments. 



Whilst we were busy preparing our aml^iiscade, 

 a young buck spotted-deer came out of one of the 

 " runs " leading towards the water, within pistol- 

 shot distance, and was leisurely proceeding to drink, 

 when he caught sight of some of our people down 

 below, which startled him. He stopped, threw back 

 his head, pawed the ground, and coolly retraced his 

 steps, apparently but little alarmed at the sight of 

 man. Had our rifles been near at hand, he might 

 not have got back so easily, for venison is always 

 desirable, especially when there are many mouths 

 to feed. 



I forbade any of our people to go near the pool 

 on the side frequented by the jungle animals, but 

 made them draw what water they required in 

 leathern buckets from the rocks, fearing lest their 

 footsteps might betray our presence. 



Our work being completed, we had a refreshing 

 bath, and adjourned to the hut, where we saw the 

 stores distributed, so that each man received his 

 allowance of meat, rice, curry-stuff, "ghee," (clari- 

 fied butter,) and tobacco. 



Having dined, we inspected the arrangements 

 that had been made for the comfortable housing of 



T 



