to; 



THE WITCH-PANTHER. 



" THE Huzoor knows," began my friend the Bagh- 

 maree, ''' that Lagon, the witch, cursed me for 

 asking her for the price of the cloth I made for her. 

 The curse was a great curse and made with bent 

 fingers, and her great toe marked the curse on the 

 sand. After this I was afraid to go to the jungle 

 alone, as I was always in dread of tigers. I killed 

 a cock and sprinkled the blood round my hut, yet 

 the witch's curse was strong and I felt the water 

 on my back the (Bagh-maree's definition of fear). 



' The Huzoor does not believe that our old 

 women can turn themselves into tigers ? But they 

 can do so. All our people know it. It may not 

 be the case with Sahib-logue (English people), but 

 with our people it is common. Ask Matha and 

 Lutchman (referring to the village headmen). 

 They will tell you that Lagon can turn herself 

 into any animal she pleases, and do injury to 

 those whom she dislikes. I know that Lagon 

 turned herself into a panther, and killed my goats. 

 I cut at it with my battle-axe, and took off a 

 portion of its ear, and wounded it in the fore-paw. 

 It is well I found and secured the piece of its ear. 

 This saved me, and I knew I was safe so long as I 



