196 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



shoot. Master, please eat ; then it very good and 

 soft. All same as young lady peacock." 



" Mac," said Norman, reproachfully addressing 

 that individual, " what an old belly-worshipper 

 you are! To think that, with all the advantages 

 you have so often derived from my improving 

 society, you should still remain unimpressed with 

 the necessity of extreme caution in the conduct 

 of such an important affair as sport. I am 

 afraid all my lessons have been quite lost on 

 you." 



" Then, of course, as you decline to appear to 

 sanction the deed, you will be consistent enough to 

 prefer a bit of that tough old fowl to a slice from 

 the breast of this bird, a nice young plump one 

 it is." 



" No, hang it. As you say, ' the deed is done ; ' 

 so I don't see why I should not reap the bene- 

 fit of it. But, Manuel, you must be quite a 

 shikaree." 



" I not very great shikaree like master," modestly 

 replied the individual last addressed, " but I pretty 

 much good for poor servant-man. Mr. Sheik Hus- 

 sein, he not think I can shoot, and smile and make 

 fun ; but when Baloo show the peacocks and pijuns, 

 then he ask me for to shoot more for ' hullal karo ' ' 

 (to be rendered lawful by having a brief invocation 



