NATIVE GRATITUDE. 419 



last disdainful kick as Norman descended into the 

 bed of the nullah, and turning hastily, salaamed to 

 him. 



Gratitude is certainty not a predominating feature 

 of the native character ; but at that moment, 

 Roopur felt something veiy like it for the man by 

 whose instrumentality the accomplishment of his 

 revenge had been effected. 



He touched Norman's feet with his hands, and 

 then his own forehead typical of placing the dust 

 from beneath them on his head and then stood 

 erect, as his coal-black eye gleamed with excitement 

 and gratified rage. 



Norman took no notice of what might have been 

 considered the want of the usual respect, shown by 

 the shikaree's precipitate rush past him, and his 

 forgetfulness of his presence. He simply said, 

 " Your father will be all right now. We have taken 

 an answer from the tiger for his death. He will 

 never kill anyone else. I am much pleased that we 

 have at last destroyed the beast." 



" Sahib," the man replied, " my father's son is 

 your slave. All he has is yours. He will do what- 

 ever service he is told to do. The Sahib's name 

 will be great for ever in the villages of this country, 

 and remain in the mouths of the people." 



Hawkes now joined, and was soon after followed 



K E 2 



