102 The Hunting Grounds 



not follow her, she returned, and again crouched down 

 by its side. I made the people take no further notice 

 of them, and gave her more sugar, which she took and 

 ate without hesitation. She now seemed to have 

 made up her mind that we did not intend to do her 

 any harm, for she began to examine us more closely, 

 and even to finger our clothes, which she must have 

 imagined to be of Nature's own providing, for she 



slunk back alarmed when she saw M pull off his 



cap, as if she thought his head would have followed. 

 At dusk we were all sitting round an immense log- 

 fire. The usual glass of rackee and allowance of 

 tobacco had been distributed to each of the gang, and 

 we were discussing the prospect of the morrow's sport, 

 for we were not inclined to sit up for game that night, 



when suddenly M sprung up and shouted in 



Hindostani, 'Look out, men! those jungle wallahs are 

 about. 5 I seized my rifle, and listened attentively, 



but could hear nothing. M said, 'I am sure 



they are near at hand, for I distinctly heard the 

 chirping of a squirrel, which sound, you know, is 

 never heard after nightfall, and I noticed the old 

 woman's eye glisten as she caught up the sound.' 

 He was right, for almost immediately four or five 

 arrows fell about our fire, though without hurting 

 any one. I took one to the old woman, and, giving 

 her a lump of sugar and some raw potatoes, told 

 Chineah to lead her towards that part of the jungle 



