266 The Hunting Grounds 



vile carcass, although the end of my nose is off; arid 

 I can hardly keep my hands away from your throat, 

 although they are maimed." At the first sound of 

 my voice the Gooroo tried to make a bolt, but in his 

 mad terror he stumbled over the root of a tree, falling 

 heavily his whole length on the ground, when he 

 began writhing about in a convulsive manner, as if 

 wrestling with some imaginary enemy, groaning and 

 keeping his face covered with a cloth. Taking ad- 

 vantage of his terror, I continued in the same tone of 

 voice, " Oh, Perriatumbie ! are you not ashamed of 

 having so ill-used your good Sawmy Haniman ? Did 

 you not tie seven tails of male elephants shot by your 

 master as a lignum (the sacred thread worn round 

 the body only by the Brahmins) round the image of 

 that pert god, Ganesea ? Oh, Perriatumbie ! my evil 

 eye will always be upon you, and the rest of those 

 who ill-treated me, to work you evil, until I have also 

 a lignum of elephant tails on me, and my wounds are 

 anointed with the fat and blood of many tigers. I 

 want no sacrifices of sheep and cocks, for the price of 

 them comes out of the pocket of your master, on 

 whom be ' blessings and good luck, for he never did 

 me any harm, and must not suffer for your ill-doings. 

 Go and show him the fresh trails of elephants and 

 tigers, that he may kill them, and bring me their 

 spoils as offerings, that I may not destroy you all, as 

 your crimes deserve." I then stole quietly away and 



