106 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



I was equal to the occasion, and promised three 

 bottles from the animals which I shot. What do 

 you think of tiger's fat ? I don't see why it should 

 not be as provocative of hair as that of bears ; and 

 then it might possibly impart the ruddy tinge so 

 much the fashion. You fellows are not half wide- 

 awake. I bottled off both the tigers." 



"Bottled them off?" inquired Hawkes with sur- 

 prise. 



" Yes. I set that young imp, Baloo, to secure all 

 the fat and melt it. I have several old beer bottles 

 full. I shall just pour in a suspicion of bear's grease 

 as a salve to my conscience, and there you have a 

 nice present for the old woman." 



" No end of a dodge ! " exclaimed his companion, 

 applaudingly. " But then I wouldn't like to deceive 

 Miss Verney." 



" Miss Verney ! I should think not. It would be 

 downright sacrilege to make her apply essence of 

 tiger to her ' bonnie brown hair.' But if the old 

 woman's becomes striped, it won't much signify. 

 Like you, I have disposed of most of what we are 

 likely to obtain of the genuine. The little Penrose, 

 with her winning ways, lias been almost as urgent 

 an applicant as the General's wife ; but then she 

 has more reason, with her beautiful sunny curls." 



" Just now," returned Hawkes, " the beauty of 



