146 The Hunting Grounds 



" Well, Chineah," said I, " you have done your 

 work very well, and in the course of a few days, 

 Inshallah (please God), we shall try our luck in that 

 part of the country. Now go to Yacoob-Khan, and 

 tell him to give you a gold mohur (about 30s.) for 

 yourself and the gang to make merry with, but take 

 care none of you get into trouble ; for if any of you 

 find your way into choJcee (quod) and are brought up 

 before the gora sahib (white gentleman, a name often 

 given to the European magistrate), I shall ask him not 

 to fine you, but to take the change out of your backs." 



" Me nebber want to see that gentleman till me 

 goes to ' Jehanum/* " exclaimed Chineah, as he with- 

 drew, grinning and showing his teeth " him no good." 



' Well, B ," said I, " I do not think we can 



do better than try the Bowani Jungle, for I anticipate 

 good sport from Chineah's account of the country, 

 which you may rely upon is correct, as he has been 

 with me a long time, and I have never yet found him 



deceive me. I shall go at once to H , and ask 



him to forward my application for two months leave 

 of absence, and I will then ask the general to give 

 me permission to start at once in anticipation of leave 

 from army head-quarters." 



I found Major H , who was then commanding 



the regiment, in conversation with old S of the 



Commissariat, and he consented at once to forward 

 * Jehanum " the infernal regions." 



