A MODERATE SHIKAREE. 197 



pronounced before life is quite extinct; and with- 

 out which no Mussulman will eat any slaughtered 

 animal). 



Sheik Hussein looked doubly solemn as his name 

 occurred in the conversation ; which being carried 

 on in English, he did not understand, but at the 

 nature of which he easily guessed. 



" Why do you call it the same as a young lady 

 peacock ? " asked Norman. " Is it so tender, Manuel, 

 as to be fit for young ladies ? " 



" No, sar, I not mean that ; but it all same as one 

 young missee baba. It no old and hard like Briga- 

 dier Mem Sahib." 



" Oh ! I sec. You mean it is tender, and young 

 in age, and a female." 



" Yes, master, please, young female." 



" Did you see plenty of them ? " inquired Hawkes. 



" Yes, sar," was the reply. " I see plenty much, 

 but not all young female. The other I shoot, she 

 veiy much old, like the burree (literally, big ; meaning 

 here, socially so) Mem Sahib. What master call, 

 old female." 



" Manuel," said Mackenzie, as he subdued his 

 laughter, " are you aware that you have called a 

 distinguished lady by the term ' old female ? ' If it 

 ever comes to her ears, you will catch it" 



Poor Manuel had a very wholesome dread of the 



