326 The Hunting Grounds 



the morrow's proceedings. As soon as the grog had 

 been served out, and all were enjoying the fragrant 

 weed, I opened the proceedings by expressing my 

 regret that such an untoward event should have 

 befallen the gang as to lose one of their number 5 

 but I explained to them that poor Ali had lost his 

 life by disobeying my positive orders in foolishly 

 straggling from the rest, and I hoped his sad fate 

 would be a warning to the gang to be more careful in 

 future. I also suggested that the gang should each 

 subscribe some small sum towards making up a purse 

 for his father (an old pensioned Havildar), to which 



B and I would contribute a hundred rupees ; and 



I was glad to see that when Chineah went round 

 with his cocoanut-shell, every one present, even to the 

 Coolies, put in his rupee or whatever he could afford. 

 We then proceeded to deliberate on the plan for the 

 morrow, and to detail each man his duty. Veerapah 

 and Naga, with two Mulchers, were to ascend the 

 Ghaut on the left, to find out if the Carders (a jungle 

 tribe who inhabited that side of the mountain) had 

 seen any elephants lately, and afterwards to join us 

 at the head of the fall. Hassan was to go into 



Coimbatore with notes from B to K and 



C , informing them of our whereabouts, in case 



they could manage to join our party. Ramasawmy 

 was to continue the preparation of the skins, and 

 Chineah, Googooloo, and two Mulchers were to ac- 



