KARIM KHAN. 241 



he has not gone there, he has gone elsewhere," 

 was the calm reply. 



I was rather disappointed to hear this, as 

 the Beg at Karaart told me he was a very 

 good shikari in fact, the only one in that part ; 

 so I offered the man a suitable reward to find 

 him for me. 



At this moment up comes my old shikari, 

 and embraces him warmly ! I told him Karim 

 Khan was away. "Oh no," he said; "this is 

 Karim Khan!" 



Most people would have looked rather foolish 

 at being caught out in such a manner : not 

 so Mr Karim Khan, who did not even take 

 it as a joke, but looked as solemn as a judge. 



On my asking why he had told such a de- 

 liberate falsehood, when I had no wish to harm 

 him, but, on the contrary, would pay him well if 

 he would go with me for a few days' shooting, 

 he said he was afraid I might be angry with 

 him if the sport was not good : there were some 

 gooljas about, but it was quite impossible to say 

 where they would be found. 



After a little talk we got quite friendly, and he 

 agreed to hunt with me on the mountains beyond 

 the camp, and then to go round by the west of 



Q 



