NATIVE TASTES. 49 



epicures to indulge in, under the shape of what once 

 was sound venison meat." 



"True, and I agree with them," Norman said. 

 " Theirs is mere natural craving for animal food ; 

 the epicure's a vitiated gastronomic taste ; at least 

 in those instances where the meat is eaten when 

 nearly ready to walk away." 



" I am told crocodile is fine tender food," Mac- 

 kenzie observed ; " and I know these big lizards, 

 ichneumons, or whatever they call themselves, are 

 capital grub in the native estimation. But these 

 are subjects which require a little ballast, so I shall 

 have a night-cap and turn in." 



By the early hour of half-past nine the three 

 sportsmen sought their cots, drawn outside the 

 tents for the sake of the greater freshness. " Turn- 

 ing in" was slightly a misnomer, and hardly sug- 

 gestive of Indian hot-weather repose ; for it could 

 only figuratively be applied to the prostration of 

 the figure on the cot, unincumbered with sheets or 

 blankets. 



It is to be hoped that the digestions of the biped 

 partakers of the tiger's flesh were not more incom- 

 moded than the troop of jackals, which, noisily 

 banqueting on the same food, gave audible intima- 

 tion of their vicinity, but without disturbing the 

 wearied hunters. 



