173 THE EASTERN HUNTEES. 



thanks, and volunteered much information regarding 

 the immediate locality of his lonely dwelling. 



It was yet so early that the hunters were un- 

 willing to return to their tents, should there be a 

 chance of obtaining anything by a beat on specula- 

 tion ; provided it could be made without any great 

 demand on the physical exertions of Mackenzie, for 

 the beaters had had little to do and were quite 

 fresh. 



" It must be in some place," said Mackenzie, when 

 suggesting this to Eugonauth, "to the vicinity of 

 which I can ride ; for I am quite unable to go 

 stumping about the rocks and stones, and over 

 hills and nullahs." 



" I know, Sahib," was the reply made by the 

 shikaree, to whom the existence of such a thing as 

 blistered feet was but vaguely known. "I heard 

 the Sahib had got swelled feet, and therefore only 

 examined the country this morning within an easy 

 distance of the tents. There is a large ravine not 

 far from this which I visited early this morning. I 

 heard either a tiger or a panther roar there ; but it 

 was a long way off, and I could not make out 

 which. I did not see it, so did not call the Sahibs 

 there when I heard a bear was marked down. But 

 if the gentlemen please, we can drive the ravine 

 now." 



