94 ROUGHING IT IN SOUTHERN INDIA 



Sometimes, though rarely, it would climb upon one's lap. 

 F. was his first favourite, the reason being very plain, 

 namely, that he always wore flannel, and there was nothing 

 this kitten liked better to eat, swallowing every bit of the 

 wool ! Many a large hole did it gnaw under his coat, while 

 seemingly asleep on his shoulder, being in reality very wide 

 awake ; for it growled at the least movement — a mite of 

 a growl certainly, but an angry one. Even when F. knew 

 what was going on he never interfered. Far from being 

 vexed, I verily believe that so long as it was not harm- 

 ing itself — its own instincts would prevent that — he felt 

 flattered at being made so free with by the savage, or 

 rather untamable, little thing ; for such it was to the last, 

 though condescending to eat our food, at the same time 

 roaming about the scrub and bushes, just like any beast 

 of prey in the wilds. Indoors, when not sleeping, it was 

 always on the lookout for something woollen — a sock was 

 a joyful find. Nothing could hang within its reach with- 

 out the edges being fringed and the corners chewed off — a 

 little tablecloth among other things was much relished ; the 

 only plan was to keep it provided with bits of flannel. In 

 regard to this habit, as well as in the fancy for water, two 

 other leopard-cats we had at different times were the same 

 as ' Koori ' ; not outgrowing it either, though none of them 

 stayed with us after reaching maturity, wandering farther 

 and farther afield, returning at longer intervals, and at 

 length never being seen again. In each case we heard 

 them unmistakably several times. Food was put for 

 them in the accustomed places, but never taken, as we 

 knew by there being no footmarks in the plate, it being a 

 habit of theirs to stand in their food — all of them did the 

 same. So we did not fear for their being starved, the less so 

 as it was just at the same age that each left us, to please 

 itself in obeying its own vagrant instincts. 



