A NEW USE FOR A TUTOR 



living target, aimed at a small bird perched on a tree a long 

 way off, and, to the amazement of those present, brought 

 it down. It was a marvellous performance, and as a first 

 attempt at rifle-shooting with one hand, probably un- 

 surpassed ; hence, it is not surprising that, with the self- 

 confidence born of this extraordinary feat, he should 

 eventually have gained the reputation of being one of the 

 finest shots and tiger-hunters India has known. 



This reference to air-guns reminds me of a youthful 

 < xperience of ray own in connection with one of these 

 weapons. The event, however, had no such tragic ending 

 as the one described, though it terminated somewhat un- 

 pleasantly to the one principally concerned, viz., a French 

 tutor, who, for his sins, perhaps, was occupying the 

 unenviable position of bear-leader and instructor to my 

 brother and myself. He was, however, a most good- 

 natured individual, and taking advantage of his disposition 



f persuaded him to procure for us an air-gim or air-cane, 

 iv:> these dangerous weapons were then called. Fortunately 

 for him, however, the one he had obtained for us was not 



•ry powerful, for we had no sooner mastered the 



f ricacies of the weapon, than, taking further advantage 



: his amiability, we started our shooting by making use 

 ot his person as a target. 



This went on for sonu lime much to our edification, 

 though — so far as I remember — not without some feeble 

 • Totests from our victimised preceptor. At length one 



ly we were caught in the act by the two old maiden 

 ladies who had had the misfortune to be constituted our 

 guardians until such time as we should be too old for 



ininine control, which period, however, judging from our 



.ploits, had seemingly arrived already. 



These two old dames, possibly under the impression 



shots were fired in anger, instaid of as a pastime, 



lilied beyond measure; but with commendable 



promptitude and courage, immediately disarmed us, 



H^Mifiscating the weapon. 



^y Much as we resented these arbitrary- proceedings at the 

 ni we came in time to realize that they had probably 



b( ' ssary, for we were wise enough to know that tutors 



were not intended to be made use of as targets, therefore. 



c 17 



