TIGER SLAYER BY ORDER 



The journey, much to my disappointment, was com- 

 pleted without further adventure, and in due course we 

 arrived at my father's bungalow, when I remember well, 

 how, after the first greetings, I instantly produced my 

 trophy, and with what pride I related how I had procured 

 it, indeed had it been a tiger that I had slain I could have 

 scarcely been prouder of the feat ! 



All sportsmen, probably, will understand my feelings 

 for the first comparatively big thing shot by a novice has 

 always a special value in his eyes, but looking back now, 

 after thirty years, I feel ashamed to think that I should 

 have made all this fuss about a wretched deer. 



After spending some time with my father at Guzerat, 

 I went on to Malegown to join the 19th Native Infantry 

 to which I was attached, for a course of drill, prior to taking 

 up an appointment in the Indian Police for which service 

 I had already obtained a nomination. 



The 19th was at that time commanded by a certain 



Colonel J , one of the good old school, who, though a 



martinet and somewhat given to exceedingly strong 

 language on parade, was, nevertheless, very popular with 

 the youngsters in the regiment. 



Our life at Malegown, a small, uninteresting station, 

 was not very exciting, but weekly gymkhana meetings, 

 to which friends from neighbouring stations were in- 

 variably invited, helped to pass the time. Those sports 

 usually consisted of cross-country racing, tent-pegging, 

 tilting at the ring, etc. 



Having ridden from my childhood, I was naturally a 

 good rider, and used consequently to pull off many of these 

 events — the money prizes helping considerably to the pay- 

 ing of my mess bills. In the hurdle races, I remember, 

 the jumps were usually fairly stiff, and on one occasion 

 came perilously near to ending my career. Fortunately, 

 however, I escaped with only a good shaking, notwith- 

 standing that the horse had rolled over me and that I was 

 picked up unconscious and carried away in that condition 

 from the course. A strong whisky and soda, as I learnt 

 later, was the only remedy administered and apparently 

 with marvellous results, for I came round at once, at least, 

 so I was informed, for I was not in a position to know how 

 10 



