156 The Hunting Grounds 



Bey, and Lall Khan, two youngsters who waited at 

 table and helped me to dress, a waterman, a tent- 

 Lascar, four "syces" or grooms, four grass-cutters, 

 two dog-boys, and two soldiers, who, in cantonment, 

 were supposed to keep my regimentals in order, but 

 when on a shekar expedition made themselves gener- 

 ally useful. 



B 's followers numbered more than a dozen, 



so that altogether the gang, our servants, coolies, 

 and camp-followers amounted to about forty indi- 

 viduals. 



They all paraded in marching trim, to receive a 

 small advance of pay to be left with their families, 

 and I gave them a trifle to be expended in making 

 caste ceremonies, and offering Poojahs to their favourite 

 deities, so that each might propitiate his Sawmy for 

 good luck on the expedition. 



The Gooroo rendered himself very conspicuous by 

 killing a sheep in front on an image of Cajasoura- 

 mardanam (the god of Hunting) who is represented 

 with four arms, having a lance in two hands and 

 curious reptiles in the others, clad in a tiger's skin, 

 and seated upon that of an elephant. 



