CHAPTER III 



Leave Malegown for Khandesh — Appointed Assistant Political Agent and 

 Adjutant Bhil Police Corps — My chief, a fine old sportsman — Air-guns 

 dangerous at times — A marvellous performance— Some reminiscences 

 of my early youth — An accommodating tutor — Questionable justice 

 — My headquarters in Khandesh — A palatial residence — Description 

 of my duties — A banyan tree tribunal — Some accounts of the Bhik, 

 their belief in witchcraft — Omens and superstitions, love of sport — 

 Legend of their origin — Life in the station — Christmas camps — 

 Running amok — A thrilling experience — Shooting a Havildar — My 

 first tiger, a description of the beat — Rejoicings in camp — An unselfish 

 sportsman — Efficiency of a "500 Rigby Express rifle — The best weapon 

 in those days for tigers — Diversity of opinion as to rifles — Various 

 weapons or projectiles used bj"^ weU-knoAvn sportsmen — To be judged 

 by results — Best rifles for soft-skinned and heavy game, described in 

 next chapter. 



Having completed my course of drill, I left Malegown, 

 parting from my companions in the regiment with much 

 regret and joined my appointment in Khandesh, to which 

 district I had been posted as Assistant Superintendent of 

 Police and Adjutant of the Bhil Corps, under that fine old 

 sportsman Colonel Oliver Probyn, C.I.E., to whom in grate- 

 ful remembrance for many kindnesses received, I have 

 devoted a special chapter. 



Some time before I became acquainted with him he 

 had had the misfortune to lose his right arm and two fingers 

 of his left hand through the bursting of an air-gun, yet 

 notwithstanding being thus handicapped, he still remained 

 the splendid shot and rider that he had always been. 



Strangely enough, though, he had despaired of ever 

 handling a rifle again, and it was merely through a friend 

 at a picnic casually challenging him to shoot at an empty 

 bottle that led to his taking to his shooting again. 



It appears that when handed the rifle by his friend, 

 instead of firing at the bottle, he, doubtless preferring a 

 16 



