268 The Hunting Grounds 



that up to this I could never bribe or induce any 

 gang to undertake any very lengthened expedition 

 in those parts, notwithstanding it was known that 

 elephants swarmed, and large game of all kinds was 

 abundant. Having, therefore, attained my object by 

 working upon their credulity and superstitious fears, 

 " I struck whilst the iron was hot," and having con- 

 sulted with B , who proposed to accompany me, 



the morrow was destined for preparation, and the day 

 after for departure. 



During the night I heard the shrill notes of the 

 cholera horn and other discordant Hindoo music, and 

 my head servant, Yacoob Khan, a Mussulman, in- 

 formed me that the gang had that evening fed twenty 

 Brahmins, and that they were then performing Poojah 

 (religious ceremonies) in honour of the god Haniinan. 

 The next morning, on my way to the racket-court, as 

 I passed by the lake, I saw the image of the god in 

 its original position, decked out with wreaths of jes- 

 samine, and other fragrant flowers, and gaudily 

 painted with yellow ochre and tinsel. Some of the 

 gang must have had a cool dip during the night, for 

 the water was deep where the idol was thrown in. 



We were very busy all the next day in getting sup- 

 plies, casting hardened bullets, and arranging our 

 baggage, all of which was carried on ponies or coolies' 

 shoulders, and in the evening, as soon as the moon 

 rose, the traps started, escorted by the gang, for 



