150 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



at some stages of the disease excessive thirst is 

 common, and is, I believe, considered by skilled 

 vets, a premonitory symptom. Unusually great 

 fondness for the master, I have also heard described 

 as another sign ; but these naturally escape one 

 unless on the look-out for them." 



"Very likely here in India there are some irri- 

 table diseases which pass for hydrophobia," Mac- 

 kenzie said. "But after all it is better to be on 

 the safe side, and destroy the dog where there is 

 any suspicion. The chance of saving a dog's life 

 hardly balances the risk of a man being bitten. 

 When skilled advice can be obtained, and the 

 animal is well secured, of course it is different." 



" Have you ever had any narrow escapes, Mac ? " 

 asked Hawkes, after a pause. 



" Why, yes. One can hardly be many years in 

 India without, at some time or other, having some 

 incidents to relate. I remember once bayoneting 

 a mad dog. Norman was with me. The beast 

 came into my verandah. I seized a musket and 

 bayonet which happened to be resting against the 

 wall, charged the beast, and pinned it against the 

 ground. Norman got hold of a stick, and whacked 

 it about the head while I held it, and so we polished 

 it ofi. But I once had a really narrow escape. I 

 was lying in bed one morning, when a mad pariah 



