346 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



arrangements were completed, B and I started 



on a pot-hunting expedition, K and C 



being too much done-up to accompany us, and, 

 after half an hour's beating, managed to bag a 

 couple of jungle-fowl and five hares, which latter 

 were very much larger than those found in the low 

 country. On our return to the hut with our game, 

 we found such a feast awaiting us that we hardly 

 knew what to commence with, ^^.n immense round 

 of Dawson's celebrated spiced beef was backed up by 

 a Yorkshire ham, a roast squeaker, and a marrow- 

 pie ; besides which, cakes smoking hot from the oven, 

 pilau, curry, and piles of wild raspberries and straw- 

 berries garnished the board. Having done ample 

 justice to our good cheer, we withdrew to the watch- 

 fire, where all our people were assembled, and, after 

 distributing the usual allowance of tobacco and grog 

 to every man in camp, we held a consultation, in 

 which it was determined that we should divide into 



two reconnoitring parties on the morrow : B 



and C , with Chineah and four of the gang, 



forming one ; and K , myself, with Googooloo 



and three others, the second. This settled, we re- 

 tired to the hut, and after a rubber of whist 

 turned in. 



We were up long before the sun the next morn- 

 ing, and, after a hearty breakfast, started at a good 

 pace towards the spot where the Carders had fallen 

 in with the elephants. After half an hour's tramp 

 we came across an old trail, which B 's party 



