434 THE EASTERN HUNTEBS. 



for after I reached camp, I cut out the tongue, 

 which is the tit-bit, with the same instrument with 

 which I had previously cut off the wolf's tail ; and 

 a precious difficult job I had of it." 



" Improved its flavour, I should think ! Fancy 

 the officer in command of the rear-guard marching 

 into camp with a neilghye's tongue on one side, and 

 a wolf's tail on the other ! Eather a remarkable 

 apparition, and a little startling for the C. 0., if he 

 happened to be on the look-out ! " 



Mackenzie laughed as young Hawkes thus pic- 

 tured his friend's arrival at the head of his men ; 

 and having now crossed the hill, again set off at a 

 brisk canter. Before another hour had passed, they 

 safely reached their camp, which had only arrived a 

 short time previous. 



They had now left the high hills and thick jungle, 

 and entered the open plain. They proposed making 

 one more regular march, and then, as their leave 

 expired on the following day, riding post the re- 

 maining distance into cantonments. 



For this purpose they had already written to 

 friends to lay out horses for them. Such is the 

 common practice in those parts of India where there 

 are no regular made roads, mail-carts, or other dak 

 (post) advantages. A man can in this way, with 

 previous arrangements, ride his hundred miles in a 



