AN OFF-DAY 59 



a fool, eh Lassoo ? for he had you fairly 

 that time." 



The evening broke up after this ; every- 

 body went off in high good humour, all 

 except Chybra, who looked very " cheap," 

 so thinking to cheer him up, I said, " I 

 think you won this evening, Chybra." 

 But he, seeing that Lassoo had heard, put 

 on his most shamefaced look, which con- 

 sisted in seizing both his ears with both 

 his hands at once, at the same time putting 

 his tongue out, catching it between his 

 teeth, and saying, " hey toba, hai hai hai " 

 (which being translated means " nevercould 

 I do such a thing ! alas ! alas ! alas ! ") " for is 

 not he the greatest of shikaris, while I am 

 only a poor coolie who lives in his shadow?" 

 But all the same his eyes twinkled when 

 Lassoo's back was turned. 



It was about ten o'clock when I got into 

 bed, and I was soon fast asleep. 



Probably about midnight I was gradually 

 awakened by sounds of something moving 



