DANCING-GIRLS. 71 



four performers at a time, who alternately took a part in the 

 dancing or singing, as one or other receded or got exhausted. 

 The quick movement of the loins and hips, the whirling 

 motions they took (in which our figure dancers are mere 

 novices), and both hands playing castanets, and flourishing 

 them over the head, must have been most fatiguing. They 

 often sang at the time of dancing, and the exhilarating air, 

 1 Tazu be Tazu,' generally commenced the melody. Buffoons 

 and mimics occasionally lent their drolleries as an interlude. 

 Such dancing and singing girls as Michee, Begum, Jahn, 

 Hingan, and others, would not go out under a hundred 

 rupees each for a night. Their fine tresses were perfumed 

 and adorned with fragrant flowers, their dress and orna- 

 ments were very showy, and they wore full-bottomed petti- 

 coats of the finest muslin, which flew out and expanded as 

 they took their whirling evolutions." 



Our party did not break up till late, although after the 

 first hour or two of the entertainment there was not much 

 variety in the amusement. In the intervals of dancing and 

 singing, lounging on couches, smoking, and conversing with 

 intelligent natives, who were sitting around on carpets, was 

 an agreeable pastime enough. 



Mr. Johnson was a well-known and successful tiger-killer, 

 and had destroyed many of these beasts, both in this neigh- 

 bourhood and near Ellora. His usual method was to take up 

 his position at night in some large tree, at the foot of which 

 was tied a live goat or sheep, as bait to any beast of prey, 

 and which, whether tiger, chetah, wolf, or hyena, if attracted 

 by its cries and bleatings, were pretty sure to fall victims to 

 his unerring rifle. The forests in the vicinity afforded him 

 ample scope for this description of sport, and the trophies he 

 possessed in the shape of teeth, skulls, and heads, attested 

 his success. 



Latterly he always had a sort of hut constructed for him 



