EVENING IN THE CAMP. 45 



approach, only, however, to glide away, followed by 

 a stone or stick from one of the village watchmen, 

 or other detector of the intruder. An owl, flitting 

 about, hooted its low wailing notes, like some 

 ubiquitous demon ; and all listened as, once or 

 twice, the distant roar, or rather grunt, of a tiger 

 came borne on the gentle night air. The hot sirocco 

 wind which had blown strongly during the day had 

 given place to one, not cool certainly, but now in 

 comparison fresh, gentle, and balmy, though even 

 yet puffs came laden with the furnace heat of the 

 parched and desiccated soil. Occasionally a thump 

 would be heard, causing a general rush and scramble 

 among some of the followers, as a ripe mango fell 

 to earth. 



" How awfully jolly this is," observed young 

 Hawkes, as he mixed a little cold weak " brandy 

 pawnee " which his servant brought him. " It's 

 astonishing to me how fellows stick in cantonments, 

 when they can get out to the jungles and have a 

 nice evening after such a glorious day's sport." 



" And anticipations of other days as good," said 

 Norman. " The mug, too, is better, the cheroots 

 burn better, the air is better and fresher, and a man 

 himself feels better in the jungles. ' Oh, a life in 

 the woods for me !' Yes, it's very jolly, Hawkes. 

 I am precious glad to see you taking so kindly to it. 



