200 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



degree of danger naturally lends attraction to sport 

 in the eyes of enterprising men of sound nerves and 

 healthy organisation. But to court it unnecessarily, 

 implies a want of those qualities which characterise 

 the accomplished shikaree. With him, care and 

 caution signify no want of pluck ; but judgment 

 controls its abuse. He is just as daring, just as 

 keen perhaps more so than the headstrong young 

 fellow who, scorning the advice of the more expe- 

 rienced, rushes into danger where no advantage is 

 to be gained by it. Therefore, young sportsmen of 

 India, do not imagine that a foolhardy contempt of 

 precaution is simply an exhibition of superior pluck ; 

 or the reverse, that of its want. 



The three friends discussed the circumstances 

 attending the accidents related by each ; and many 

 valuable maxims, as to future careful conduct in 

 the field, were laid down ; some, perhaps, to be 

 observed ; others to be broken without the slightest 

 compunction in the excitement of the moment. 



From grave stories, however, they turned to those 

 of a gayer nature sporting and otherwise. 



" I remember," said Norman, " a story told me 

 some time ago, relating to an acquaintance of my 

 own. He is a queer fellow, full of fun, and always 

 ready for a joke ; and has a ludicrous way of 

 making faces and emitting curious howls, which I 



