A MUSICIAN IN DIFFICULTIES. 73 



" But oh ! you should have seen the faces of the 

 tim-tim-wallah and the little dancing chap, and the 

 forlorn expression with which the former showed 

 me the remains of his cherished drum. However, 

 his was an ailment capable of a consolatory salve ; 

 and I dare say most of his fellows, who chaffed him 

 unmercifully, would willingly have exchanged places 

 with either of them, now that the danger was over. 

 There now, that's my adventure. I know what you 

 fellows killed, but let me have the particulars." 



Norman gave a brief account of what we already 

 know. Hawkes also described his performances ; 

 how he had stalked the samber which was feeding 

 with a few others just outside some jungle, and 

 getting a close shot, disposed of it at once ; 

 missing another with his left barrel as they galloped 

 away. 



They all decided that the hills appeared good 

 sporting ground, and well worthy of being hunted, 

 in event of tigers being scarce in the beds of the 

 rivers in the plain. 



The game was brought in and skinned. As on 

 the previous evening, the three friends combined 

 duty with pleasure ; and, while enjoying the post- 

 prandial cheroot, superintended the stretching and 

 pegging of the skins. The choice bits of the 

 venison, too, were selected and laid aside for their 



