PURDASEE, THE DOM. 155 



but with a few donkeys to carry their household 

 pots and baggage may be seen on the outskirts 

 of most Indian villages. The women weave mats 

 and tell fortunes ; while the men snare birds 

 and lift hen-roosts. They are notorious thieves, 

 and not a fowl, kid, or cat is safe for miles 

 round their encampment. Of the flesh of the 

 cat these people are particularly fond, and 

 when later on I occasionally took Purdasee 

 with me into Bangalore many a fine Tabby mys- 

 teriously disappeared, to the surprise and grief 

 of its ovmer. It was no use expostulating 

 with Purdasee. His sense of meum and tuum 

 was dead as regards tabbies. His gratitude to 

 me for saving his life was heartfelt, but I really 

 believe that even that would have counted for 

 little if weighed in the balance against his love 

 for cat's flesh. 



It took several months before Purdasee thoroughly 

 recovered his strength and was able to accompany 

 my camp. He then attached himself to my tent, 

 would assist in pitching it, and would hang around 

 all day for some word or notice from me. In the 

 wooded districts he proved a great aid to my com- 

 missariat, as never a day passed but he brought 

 in quail, partridge, pea-fowl, jungle cock, etc. 

 He was expert at all kinds of snares, traps, nets, 

 nooses and devices for trapping birds and small 

 animals. He was also a most perfect mimic and 

 could imitate the cry of the jackal, partridge, quail 

 and jungle fowl. I have several times been present 

 when he has decoyed birds, hare and jackal into 



