418 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



unnecessary, except to "make assurance doubly 

 sure/' for Norman's had cured it of man or bullock- 

 slaying for ever ; but the last ebbing throbs of life 

 still lingered when Roopur's bullet struck, and his 

 father was avenged. 



The final catastrophe was too much for his 

 equanimity. Regardless of Norman's proximity, he 

 almost screamed as he ran down into the nullah 

 before the hunter, and cursed the dead creature and 

 all its kith and kin for many generations. Nor was 

 he sparing of the most voluble abuse seriously 

 reflecting on the female members of its race. At 

 the same time he bestowed a series of kicks on the 

 body, and ended by apostrophising it. 



" Ah ! devil ! Unlawfully begotten devil ; may 

 your grave be defiled ! What, did you not know 

 that Roopur was on your track 1 Ha, ha ! Did no 

 tiger spirit whisper that Roopur had sworn to see 

 you die ? This is his bullet. Did nothing tell you 

 last night that Roopur was near ? Your cunning 

 was great. You thought again to deceive him. 

 But not this time. Your time was come ; and no 

 longer will the old man be troubled that his son has 

 not avenged his death. It is accomplished. What 

 else ? Justice has been done. You have died by my 

 means." 



Thus concluding his address, Roopur gave one 



