292 The Hunting Grounds 



lying close to me. At last I had conquered. Soon 

 after this I must have sunk into a swoon, for I 

 hardly remember anything until I found myself lying 

 in my hut, and B leaning over me. 



It appears that Chineah and the gang had carried 

 me in on a litter, and finding my body very much 

 swollen from the severe blow I had received, my back 

 being black from the waist upwards, had applied a 

 native remedy, and covered the bruised part with 

 leeches, which had the effect of counteracting the in- 

 flammation, although I shall carry their marks to the 

 grave. As it was, I was entirely laid up, and had to 

 return to Oooty to recruit. 



B sent a part of the gang to fetch in the 



ivory, which altogether weighed nearly three hundred 

 pounds not a bad bag for three days' " shekar." 



