402 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



to drink at the pool, while Norman returned to his 

 friends under the tree, and joined them in con- 

 suming some biscuits and potted meat, washed 

 down with a little brandy-and-water, and followed 

 by a handful of korinda berries from the neigh- 

 bouring bushes. 



" I have followed that pug for days at a time," 

 commenced the shikaree, after drinking with much 

 evident relish, the small glass of brandy offered him 

 by the hunters. " For many, many times have I 

 been on his trail, and never yet seen him but once 

 since the day my father found death by his means. 

 He knew that the son of his victim was on his track, 

 and he feared. But he is as deceitful as a woman. 

 His cunning is greater than a fox's. Once, and once 

 only, I saw him ; but the matchlock is not as the 

 guns of the Sahibs, neither is the hand of Roopur 

 as their hands. Enough. He escaped, and I ate 

 my heart with grief. Still I followed day after day ; 

 but he is so cunning that he seldom remains more 

 than a day in one place, and travels many coss 

 during the night. By the good fortune of the 

 Sahibs, I hope his time has now come, and that the 

 old man will be avenged. If your honours give 

 permission, Roopur will not leave the trail till he 

 has taken an answer from this devil-born tiger." 

 ' Well, Roopur, you must be quick about it, if we 



