20 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



perhaps, manage to do something in that way, eh ! 

 Norman ? You have some tackle, haven't you ? " 



" A reel, about twenty yards of sound line, and a 

 few hooks, with some strands of gut, is about all 

 that white ants, moths, and the other destructive 

 and delightful vermin of this country have left me 

 out of a well-stocked case," answered Norman. "My 

 rod was smashed long ago." 



" I dare say we can manage with a long bamboo," 

 Hawkes remarked. " But how did you say they 

 caught the fish, Sheik Hassein?" 



" They are not caught, Sahib. Those poor crea- 

 tures the Bheels shoot them with bows and arrows ; 

 ignorant jungle men that they are ! " 



" With bows and arrows ! How can that be ? 

 If the arrow struck, the fish would swim away 

 with it." 



This the pompous old butler was unable to 

 explain, and his dignity was much hurt, both at his 

 master's incredulity, and at his being told the jungle 

 people had been chaffing him. What did it signify ? 

 He had been told the fact as stated by him, and was 

 contented to know that by means of bows and 

 arrows the fish was captured. Enough. What 

 other interest could it have for him? It was beneath 

 the position and dignity of so solemn and orthodox 

 a Mussulman to learn anything from those jungle 



