THE LIBRARY

THE UNIVERSITY OF
BRITISH COLUMBIA

Gift of

Dr. H.R. MacMillan

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THE

OLD FOREST RANGER;

main Sports of Intiia

THE NEILGHERRY HILLS,

JUNGLES AND ON THE PLAINS.

BY CAPTAIN WALTER CAMPBELL,

OF SKIPNESS,

LATE OF THB SEVENTH ROVAL FUSILIERS.

LONDON:
HOW AND PARSONS, FLEET STREET.

MDCCCXLII.

LONDON

WILLIAM STEVENS, PRINTER, BELL YARB,
TKMFLR BAR.

/^?r

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD ELCHO.

&c. &c. &c.

My dear Elcho,

I BEG leave to dedicate this volume to
you, not only as my Kinsman, but as a
Brother Sportsman, and one whose un-
rivalled celebrity as a Horseman, and a
Deer-stalker, renders him so well calculated
to reflect honour on a work of this nature.

Knowing you, as I do, to be a proficient
in the noble art of woodcraft, and one fully
alive to the beauties of the grooved barrel,
I trust that the Indian adventures of " The

iv DEDICATION.

Old Forest Ranger," may serve, like the
silly l^allads of a wandering Minstrel, to
wile away an idle hour; and, if so, the
''grim auld Carle' will have fully accom-
phshed the object 1 had in view in sending
him to your door.

Believe me ever.
My dear Elcho,

Your affectionate Cousin,

WALTER CAMPBELL.

Skipness House, November^ 1841.

PREFACE.

There is an old Scotch saying, more remarkable for
truth than elegance, to this effect — " Gie the Loon
an inch, and he '11 tak"* an ell," and this, I fear, may,
with some propriety, be applied to me in the present
instance.

The kind reception I met with, mider the disguise
of " The Old Forest Ranger," lias encouraged me to
reprint, in a connected form, my papers on Indian
Field Sports, which have appeared, from time to time,
in the pages of the " New Monthly Magazine," and once
more to sue for favour at the hands of the public.

I have introduced two new Chapters, and made some
other slight additions to the original matter, which
with the aid of a few illustrations, derived from
sketches made in India, and tolerably copious notes,
containing descriptions and authentic anecdotes of the
various animals mentioned in the work, may, I hope,

b

PREFACR.

induce my former kind Readers, once more to smile
upon the " Old Forest Ranger," in his new jerkin.

Whether I have acted a prudent part, or not, in
so doing, still remains to be proved. But, stand or
fall, the deed is done. I have thrown aside the spec-
tacles and red nightcap of Koondah, and now, in my
own name, venture to crave, from an hitherto indul-
gent public, a lenient criticism of the Old Forest
Ranger''s many imperfections.

That there are defects of style, I am fully aware,
and am prepared to submit, with resignation, to any
chastisement which the Gentle Critics may see fit to
inflict upon me, for my sins, in this respect. But I
feel myself entitled to claim for my descriptions — Indian
stories^ though they be — the merit of authenticity.

My object in wi'iting the following pages was to
present my Readers with a faithful sketch of some
of the more exciting Field Sports of India ; and, to
insure my doing so, I confined myself almost exclu-
sively to the description of such scenes and adventures
as cither my Brother, or I, or both of us — for we
hunted in couples occasionally — have witnessed. The
few exceptions which occur to this general rule, are
anecdotes which I have had from men, on whose
word I could place implicit reliance, and for which

PREFACE. VU

I have given my authority in the notes. To my
Brother, Mr. George Campbell of the Bombay Civil
Service, I am indebted for many valuable extracts
from his Indian Journal.

My Characters are purely fictitious, and are merely
introduced, like the subordinate performers in Van
Amburg's exhibitions, to serve as foils to the wild
beasts, and to avoid the repetition of that eternal
egotistical I, which is so disagreeable in a personal
narrative.

Should these pages ever meet the eye of any of my
Brother Officers of the 62nd Regiment — the Regiment
in which I began my military career, and in whose
ranks I visited " the Land of the Sun " — I beg to
assure them that " Watty Campbell " the " Jungle
Wallah," * in spite of time and distance, has still a
wann corner in his heart for the old " Wiltshire
Springers," in whose society he has spent so many
happy days, by Sea and by Land, in Quarters and in
Camp, at the Mess-table, and in the Hunting-field.

To my late Brother Officers of the Royal Fusiliers,
I would also beg to offer a word of kind remembrance,

* Jurujle Wallah — A Jungle Man, or Wild Man of the Woods —
my Regimental nick-name.

VIU PREFACE.

with the assurance that, although circumstances ren-
dered my stay among them more brief than I could
have wished, I shall ever look back, with pride and
pleasure, to the short time I had the honour of serving
in that distinguished Corps.

And to all those who are kind enough to devote
an idle hour to the Old Man's idle tales, I beg to
offer my most grateful thanks.

W.C.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

A WORD FROM THE OLD FOREST RANGER 1

CHAPTER II.

A DAY'S HUNTING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS 7

CHAPTER III.

A DAY'S HUNTING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS—

(continued) ......... 2rt

CHAPTER IV.

A TIGER HUNT ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS . 4y

CHAPTER V.

DEER STALKING 62

CHAPTER VI.

A RIDE IN THE GREAT WALIAR JUNGLE . 8:i

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.

I'AOB

BISON SHOOTING 100

CHAPTER VIII.

BEAR SHOOTING H5

CHAPTER IX.

A WET NIGHT UNDER CANVASS 142

CHAPTER X.

AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE . . . .163

CHAPTER XI.

THE NIGHT MARCH 187

CHAPTER XII.

THE HALT 207

CHAPTER XIII.

BOAR HUNTING 222

CHAPTER XIV.

THE MAN-EATER 248

CHAPTER XV.

THE SACRED VILLAGE 274

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER XVI.

PAGE

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALLS OF THE CAUVARY . 289

CHAPTER XVII.

THE HUNTERS' RETURN; AND A LITTLE LOVE

MAKING 308

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE ORANGE VALLEY 337

CHAPTER XIX.

A PARTING WORD FROM THE OLD FOREST RANGER 365

GLOSSARY OF HINDOSTANEE WORDS . . .391
NOTES , 393

ILLUSTRATIONS.

A Long Shot Just in Time Frontispiece

Ornamental Title Page.

Learning to Stand a Charge . . . .To face Page 23

Killing the Stag at Bay 83

The Doctor and his " Wee pet Deevles " 137

The Death of Smiler . , 199

Mustering Forces for a Tiger Hunt ...... 298

Mons Meg's Last Victory 363

THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

CHAPTER I.
A WORD FROM THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Reader, couldst thou see us, as we are now, reposing
in our easy chair ; our once muscular Hmbs swathed in
flannel bandages ; a red woollen nightcap covering our
scanty locks ; and our stubborn back bending, at length,
under the weight of fourscore years ; thou wouldst find
it hard to credit that this trembling hand, which now
can scarcely guide the pen, was wont, of yore, to poise,
with deadly aim, yon long-barrelled rifle ; or that the
grim trophies of the chase, which grace the walls of our
favourite study, and on which we still gaze with all the
pride of an American savage sitting amidst the smoke-
dried scalps of his enemies, were fairly ta'en, in sylvan
warfare, by the white-headed Old Man who now ven-
tures to address thee.

Yet so it is Gentle Reader — The Old Forest Ranger,
once the terror of Wild beasts, is now reduced to this.

2 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

— Think not, however, that we repine at our lot. —
The old Dog hath had his day,— a right merry day it
was too — and although in our declining years, we look
back, with pleasure, to the exploits of our youth, we do
so, also, with feelings of gratitude to our ISIaker, who
hath protected us through many dangers, and brought us
back in safety, from a far distant land, to lay our aged
bones in the same romantic Glen of our beloved High-
lands, where first we drew the breath of life.

We have been gazing, for the last hour, upon the tro-
phies which surround us, till our head swims, and our
heart burns, with glowing recollections of how each
grinning savage bled and died. — The soul-stirring scenes
come so vividly before us, that we feel an irresistible
temptation to commit our thoughts to paper. And
write we will, if it be only for the sake of furnishing one
other instance of feline ferocity, besides the tragical fate
of poor Monro — an anecdote which, in spite of its being
half a century old, and worn to tatters by constant use,
still continues to be quoted, with undiminished satisfac-
tion, by every writer who wishes to impress his Readers
with a wholesome dread of the Tiger's cannibal propen-
sities ; as if it were the only well authenticated instance
on record, of such a catastrophe.

We feel it also to be due to the character of our Bio-
ther Hunters, who pursue the

" Crafty dysporte of venery "

in a gentlemanlike maimer, to disabuse the minds of
such of our Headers as may have been led away by the
aj^counts of travelled Cockneys, and seduced into the

A WORD FROM THE OLD FOIiEST I!A\GEI{. .J

belief that Indian Sportsmen indulge in the vile practices
of shooting Hog on the plains, hunting bagged Jackals,
redolent of Asafoetida, and slaying Pea-fowl in jungles
frequented by Deer.

Such things are done no doubt ; and done, perhaps,
by men who rejoice in the name of Sporting characters,
but not by Sportsmen. The man who shoots a Hog in a
hunting country in India, is held up to greater execra-
tion than a convicted Vulpecide would be in Leicester-
shire. No man who can ride well up to an old Gray
Boar, will ever demean himself or his good Horse, by
following a poor, dripping, broken-hearted vermin, till
he is trotted to death by a parcel of mangy curs.

And we have invariably remarked that those who ha-
bitually indulge in the innocent pastime of Peacock and
Jungle-fowl shooting, are young gentlemen who having
devoted their early youth to the rearing of tame Rabbits,
have never learnt to appreciate the beauties of a grooved
barrel, and have, therefore, signally failed in their at-
tempts upon nobler game ; or as a quaint friend of ours
used to express himself,

" They have found the wild Bucks so extremely bash-
ful that no Hunter could approach them."

We have yet another reason for writing, Gentle
Reader, but this we must whisper in thine ear.

We have, long ago, wearied out our good Old Lady,
the Minister, and the Doctor; indeed all the inhabi-
tants of the Glen, who have been simple enough to let
us decoy them into our Den. — Our preliminary clearing
of the throat, which they recognize too well, as the pre-
lude to an Indian story, invariably drives them from our

R 2

the: old forest ranger.

presence; and being no longer able to command a
Hearer, we have resolved upon the desperate experi-
ment of making an attack upon the Public.

Hurra ! We have renewed our youth, like the royal
bird from whose wing our pen was plucked. (It is our
fancy, Gentle Reader, ever to write with an Eagle's
quill.) The fire of other days is in our blood. — Our eye
is, once more, bright. — We cast off our spectacles as an
useless encumbrance, and grasp our long neglected rifle,
which for years, hath slumbered peacefully above the
fire-place, reposing upon the brow-antlers of a noble
Stag. — The dark Spirit of the woods is upon us. The
angry roar of the wounded Tiger is in our ears. And
we snort like an aged ^Var-horse, who hath been roused
by the trumpet's sound, as we look back, through the
long vista of bygone years, on the sylvan warfare of our
youth.

We see thee now, thou green spot in the wilderness
where fii'st we pitched our solitary hunter's tent. Oft
have the gloomy arches of the eternal Forest, in which
thou art embossed, echoed to the crack of our trusty
rifle. Oft has thy green herbage been stained with the
life-blood of the stately Bison.

Hurra ! for the wild woods !

Hurra ! for the headlong charge of the mighty Bull !
And thrice Harra ! for the deadly grooved barrel before
which he bows his proud forehead to the dust ! !

But hush ! We are getting beside ourselves. Our
unusual fit of excitement hath got the better of our dis-
cretion. And oiu" much respected Consort, who was
approaching to administer our morning potation of

A WORD FROM THE 01 D FOREST RANGER. 5

Athol-brose, hath fled in dismay, wringing her hands,
and proclaiming aloud that,

" The Laird hath gaen horn-wud /"

We must compose ourselves, else we shall lose our
character as well as our Athol-brose.

So ! We have pacified our Better-half, quaffed our
morning cup, and replaced our spectacles with becoming
gravity. — The Spirit of the woods hath passed away. —
A\^e have laid aside our rifle, resumed our Eagle quill,
and the Old Forest Ranger hath once more subsided
into a douce and cannie Carle.

Reader, if thou art, like us, a thorough-paced old
Sportsman, one who hath advanced through all the pro-
gressive stages of practical gunnery, from the firing of
twopenny cannon, on the King''s birth-day, to the scien-
tific use of the grooved barrel — If thou hast a soul
capable of appreciating the manifold beauties of that
most perfect weapon the double barrelled rifle, — armed
with which the solitary Hunter wanders fearless among
the savage beasts of the wilderness.

If, in short, thou art as great an enthusiast in the
noble art of wood-craft, as we were in our younger days,
we trust that even our imperfect sketches of Indian
field-sports, may afford thee an hour's amusement. Thou
wilt be ready to make every allowance for the defects of
a Brother Sportsman's style ; and to thee, therefore, we
think it unnecessary to make any apology, for asking
thee to accompany us into the woods. — It may, perhaps,
remind thee of old times.

Reader, if thou art no Sportsman, then we do feel
some delicacy in asking thee to join us, lest thou shouldst

THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

be disappointed. If thou art inclined to shoulder a rifle
and follow us in our wanderings, we say come, and wel-
come ! We shall be right proud of thy company ; and
shall do our best to inspire thee with that wild spirit of
adventure which gives the principal charm to an Indian
Hunter's life. But we forewarn thee that thou wilt be
introduced to savage men, and savage beasts ; and if
such society liketh thee not, we pray thee to remember
that the blame lies not at our door.

Reader, if thou art a Critic, dogging our path for the
unworthy purpose of noting every false step, and picking
holes in a poor Old man's coat, we say, — Aroint thee !
We go armed ; and aged though we be, have not yet
forgotten how to handle a rifle.

We hardly dare to hope that the Gentler Sex will so
far honour us, as to illuminate our blood-stained pages,
with the sunshine of their eyes. But, in the event of
our being so highly favoured, v/e feel that, to them, some
apology is due for introducing them to such uncouth
scenes.

Vailing our bonnet, then, and bowing full low, we
A\ ould thus crave permission to address our Fair Reader.

We are but a poor old Forester, Gentle Lady ; one
unfit to tell a tale in Lady's Bower. But, as Hunters
of old were wont to offer up gi-im trophies of the chase
at the shrine of beauty, so do we venture to lay this un-
worthy volume at thy feet. Spurn it not, Gentle Lady.
It is all an Old Forester has to offer, and, for thy sake
he heartily wishes it more worthy of acceptance.

CHAPTER II.
A DAY'S HUNTING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS

It was on one of those heavenly mornings peculiar to
the climate of the Neilgherry Hills, where the brilliancy
of a tropical sky is combined with the freshness of an
European sunrise, that three handsome Arab horses,
accoutred for the field and each led by a native Horse-
keeper, might be seen slowly passing to and fro in front
of one of the pretty little thatched cottages which,
scattered irregidarly over the sides of the hills, form the
Cantonment of Ootacamund. Presently a group of three
Sportsmen, in hunting dresses, issued from the doorway,
and the impatient steeds snorted and pawed the ground,
as if to welcome the approach of their riders.

" A fine scenting day this, lads," exclaimed the elder
of the party, looking up towards the sky, and carefully
buttoning a warm spencer over his green hunting-coat.

The speaker was a man apparently about fifty years of
age : his hair, which had originally been dark bro\Mi,
was slightly sprinkled with gray, and the corpulence of
his figure would, at first sight, have led one to suppose
that his sporting-days were over. But the healthy
though dark colour of his cheek, showed that he had
spent much of his time in the open air, whilst his firm
step and steady piercing eye convinced one that he could

8 THE OLU FOREST RANGER.

still breast a hill, or squint along a clouded barrel with
some hopes of success.

The second person in the group was a tall wiry figure,
whose large bones and well-knit joints gave promise of
great strength and miusual activity. He was accoutred
in a short round jacket of fustian, the colour of which
approached as nearly as possible to the faded tints of
dead fern or dried bamboo. His legs were cased in long-
leggings of deer-skin, which reached half-way up the
thigh, and were fastened by a strap to his girdle ; his
head was covered by a small cap of Astracan fur, and
an ammunition-pouch of dressed bearskin was tightly
buckled round his waist by a broad leathern belt, into
which was also thrust a hunting-knife of unusual size,
with a buckhorn handle handsomely mounted in silver.
His accoutrements altogether were those of a half-re-
claimed savage ; but the aristocratic cast of his features,
the proud glance of his eye, and his erect military car-
riage, declared at once the gentleman, the soldier, and
the daring sportsman. His complexion had been tanned
to the colour of mahogany by long exposure to a tropical
sun, his short upper lip was shaded by black mustaches,
and the expression of his countenance gave one the idea
of a silent and reserved person, who, from long habit and
perhaps from having spent much of his time in solitary
rambles through the trackless forest, had acquired much
of the stoical philosophy of an American Indian, and,
like him, was very cautious of betraying his feelings. A
keen observer of human nature, however, might have
detected, in the occasional flash of his dark eye, evident
tokens of a fiery and restless spirit, well disciplined, in-

A day's TIUXTIXG ox the XEILGIIERRY HILLS. 9

deed, but ready to burst forth if occasion required, like
the sudden eruption of a volcano.

The third person, who stood by his side, formed a
striking contrast, both in appearance and dress, to the
weather-beaten sportsmen. He was a slender fair-haired
lad, apparently about eighteen, whose rosy complexion
and boyish manner showed that he had but lately
emerged from the thraldom of school-discipline, and had
not as yet braved the fiery climate of India for more
than a few months. In short, he had all the appearance
of a gentlemanlike young man, who had but lately
arrived from England, and was still in all the happy
ignorance of early griffinage. His glossy new hat,
fashionably-cut green hunting-coat, breeches of virgin-
white, and well-polished top-boots, were sufficient to
convince the most casual observer that he belonged to
that unhappy race of mortals who, for twelvemonths
after their arrival in the Honourable Company's domi-
nions, are considered fair game both by Europeans and
Natives, and get unmercifully plucked — for the very
good, and to them, no doubt, satisfactory, reason, that
they are only griffins.

The party had just descended the steps of the veranda,
and were about to mount their horses, when the sylph-
like figure of a lovely girl appeared in the doorway, and
rushing towards the elder of the party, with her fair hair
streaming in the morning breeze, playfully imprinted a
kiss on his weather-beaten cheek.

" Ah ! you little rogue ! " exclaimed he ; " what has
roused you from your bed at this early hour ? "

" The desire to say good morning to you. Papa,

10 THK OLD l-OliKST UAXGKR.

and to wish you success. You know you never have good
sport unless I see you off and give you a sprig of my
charmed heather-bush to stick in your cap. The last
time I did so you killed that large tiger which now
stands stuffed in the veranda. But as you are so un-
grateful as to forget the potency of your little Fairy's
spell, you shall have no heather to-day. My gentle
Cousin shall bear the palm," cried she, as she turned
towards the younger of the party. " Come hither,
Charles ; you have declared yourself my true Knight,
and as such are bound by all the laws of chivalry to wear
my colours in your cap. Kneel, Sir, and receive the
favour with becoming humility."

Charles knelt at the feet of his fair kinswoman, whilst
she, with a roguish look of mock gravity, fixed in his
cap a small bunch of heath — a plant which even in the
cool climate of the Neilgherry hills is reared as an exotic
— saying, as she did so,

" Arise, Sir Knight ; be daring and bold, do credit to
my badge, and presume not to return into this presence
without some trophy worthy to be laid at my feet."

The elder Lorimer was by this time in the saddle, and
shouting impatiently to his nephew.

Charles hastily kissed the hand of the pretty tyrant,
while she, doing her best to look affronted at his pre-
sumption, turned from him with a dignified toss of her
little head, courtesied demurely to Captain Mansfield,
and bounded into the house like a young antelope. The
two young men mounted in haste, and following the
elder Lorimer, dashed down the hill at a smart gallop.
Charles was, or was not, in love with his pretty cousin

A day's hunting on the neilgherky hills. 11

Kate, just as my Fair Readers (if I am so far honoured
as to have any) may think probable : I am no judge of
such matters. But as he rattled his fiery little Arab
down the steepest part of the hill, with a careless seat
and slackened rein, he certainly appeared absent, to say
notliing of his humming to himself, but loud enough to
be overheard by his companions, a love-lorn ditty, about
music, love, and flowers. In this amusement, however,
he was soon interrupted, by a long whistle of astonish-
ment from his uncle, accompanied by a thundering in-
junction, to mind his bridle-hand, and not break the
horse's knees, although he was perfectly welcome to
take what liberties he liked with his own neck.

" Why, Charles," continued old Lorimer, " you look
like a moon-struck poet, and are more fit to wield a gray
goose-quill, than a rifle. Music, love, and flowers, in-
deed ! Hang it, the boy must either be in love, or a
born simpleton. Stay till you hear my pups giving
tongue together, like a chime of bells, with the crack of
a two-ounce rifle, and the wliistle of a rugged bullet by
way of accompaniment ; that is the sort of concert for a
man to listen to in the woods, whatever little weakness
he may choose to give way to amongst the Woman-
kind."

" Well, well," interrupted Charles, " never mind,
Uncle ; you know I have not yet had much experience
in field-sports, and you can hardly expect me to be an
enthusiast in the art ; but I trust that, under your good
tuition, T sliall soon improve. I have been told that
pea- fowl and jungle- fowl are very numerous in these hills,
and 1 have brought with me a double-barrelled gun, Ijy

12 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Purdie, which, I flatter myself, will do some execution
amongst them."

" Pea-fowl, jungle-fowl, and a double-barrelled gun !"
exclaimed the old Gentleman, checking his horse, and
turning towards his Nephew, with a look of the most
sovereign contempt ; " why, you misbegotten whelp, do
you take me for one of those thistle-whipping vermin
who prowl about the woods with a smooth-bored pop-
gun, murdering partridges and quail ? who flog their
unhappy curs if they show blood enough to give tongue
on the slot of a deer, and get drunk for very joy, if, by
any lucky chance, one of the imps succeeds in circum-
venting a pea-fowl ? Do you suppose. Sir, that those
noble hounds, which were sent on this morning to the
hunting-ground, attended by twenty well-armed beaters,
are kept to scour the woods for quail, or that my favourite
rifle, 'kill-devil,' which, this very season, has cut a ragged
hole in the dun hides of thirty deer, not to mention a
few bears and tigers, is a weapon to be soiled with the
blood of jackals 'I I tell thee, Boy, I have not had a
smooth barrel in my hands these twenty years : the thing
does very well for schoolboys to shoot hedge-sparrows
withal ; but a rifle, Sir, a rifle, is the only weapon fit
for a man to handle, and no one shall hunt with my
hounds that uses any other."

" I crave your pardon, my worthy Uncle," said the
good-natured Lad, with a smile ; " but, as I told you
before, I am no sportsman, and I was not aware that
using a smooth-bored gun was considered such a heinous
offence in this country."

" Well, well, boy, never mind, I was perhaps over-

A day"'s hunting on the neilgherry hills. 13

hasty. You shall shoot ^Yith one of my rifles to-day,
and I have no doubt that, when you have learnt to
handle it a little, you will fully appreciate the beauties
of the weapon, and become a convert to my system.
But here is the cover in sight, so a truce to talking, and
let us to business."

They were now descending a rugged bridle path, which
led into a sequestered valley, clothed with the richest
herbage, and flanked by stupendous mountains, the sides
of which were intersected with numerous and well-wooded
ravines. It was a glorious sight, and one to inspire a
poet or a painter, independently of the feelings which
warmed the blood of the sportsmen, and made it course
through their veins with a freer motion, as if purged
from all the grosser particles of humanity. The higher
hills were still shrouded in mist, whilst the bosom of the
valley was flooded by a deluge of light, such as none but
a tropical sun can impart. Thin wreatlis of vapour, like
the dim ghosts of Ossian, curled slow and majestic up
the mountain's side, gradually revealing to the eye of
the spectator the rich foliage of the woods, sparkling
with dew-drops, and glowing with the deep scarlet flowers
of the rhododendron. The fresh morning air came
loaded with the perfume of wild orange flower and jes-
samine, and the harsh scream of the wary pea fowl,
blended with the cheerful cry of the jungle-cock, might
be heard at intervals, rising in wild discord from the
inmost recesses of the woods. On a sunny bank, at the
foot of the descent, the armed beaters (who had been
sent on at an early hour in the morning) were scattered
about in picturesque groups, leaning in careless attitudes

14 TIIF, OLD FOREST RANGER.

on their broad-bladed hunting spears, or, with the natural
indolence of Hindoos, availing themselves of the oppor-
tunity to enjoy a hasty nap in the grateful sunshine. A
short distance apart from the rest might be seen the
chief huntsman, " Ishmail Khan," sitting cross-legged on
a grassy hillock, smoking his kallioon with true oriental
gravity, and complacently stroking his long, silky beard,
as, from time to time, he cast a look of paternal ten-
derness on the pack of noble looking hounds, which lay
around him. These dogs, to a casual observer, had all
the appearance of common English fox-hounds ; but to
the eye of a sportsman, it was evident that the original
breed had been crossed with the bull-dog, or the large
poligar dog of India, a cross, which, although it diminishes
the beauty and speed of the animal, is found to answer
better than any other on the Neilgherry Hills, where
such formidable antagonists as the bear, the wild boar,
the panther, and even the tiger, are to be encountered.

As the riders entered the valley the natives arose and
saluted them with a respectful salaam. The horse-
keepers seized the bridles of the smoking steeds, and
carefully spreading a horsecloth over their loins, pro-
ceeded to bend and crack each joint of their limbs, as
is done in the operation of shampooing, previously to
rubbing them down, and dressing them.

" Well," exclaimed Lorimer, as he proceeded with
the greatest exactness to charge a hea\y double-barrelled
rifle, which was handed to him by one of his attendants —
" Well, Ishmail, what news of game this morning? Has
that Hill-man, m'Iio promised to be upon the look out
for us, made his appearance yet I "

A day's hunting on the neilgherry hills. 15

" No, Sahib," replied Ishmail, in Hindostanee ; "the
slave of your highness has not yet arrived. May dogs
defile his father's grave ! he is slower than a tortoise."

" Here, however, comes oui* jaekall," shouted Mans-
field ; " and with good tidings, too, if one may judge by
the delighted grin on the visage of the ill-favoured Pagan."

At this moment the figure of a half-naked savage,
with his head uncovered, and his long matted locks
floNving in wild confusion over his shoulders, emerged
from the neighbouring wood, and descending the hill at
a few bounds, prostrated himself at the feet of Lorimer.

" Here, Ishmail," said the old gentleman, " you un-
derstand the language of the creature ; desire him to
rise, and ask him what information he brings."

Ishmail having questioned the messenger, turned to-
wards his master with a look of great satisfaction.
" Your slave has been successful. Sahib ; he reports
thirty head of deer, marked down in different woods,
and a sounder of ten wild hog, headed by an immense
boar, whose tusks he compares to those of an elephant,
which he has just seen entering this ravine on the north
side of the valley. If your highness would permit me
to offer an opinion, I should say we had better attack
the hogs first, else the noise of our beaters will cause
them to shift their ground."

" Right, Ishmail, right ; your old boar is a cunning
fellow, and steals away at the first whimper of the
hounds, but there is no fear of a stag moving when he
once gets into good cover."

By this time six other sportsmen had arrived, making
in all nine guns.

16 THK OLlJ l-OKEST RANGKR.

" We muster a pretty good field to-day, and shall, I
think, be able to give a tolerable account of this same
sounder of hog ; so, Gentlemen, the sooner we take our
places the better. You, Ishmail, must lead the dogs
and beaters round the shoulder of this hill, so as to gain
the top of the ravine without disturbing the game : and
mind you wait for a signal from my bugle to tlirow them
into cover. You, Mansfield, who know the ground,
liad better take Charles under your guidance, and go
to your favourite stand on the other side of the glen,
whilst I post these gentlemen in the most commanding
positions I can find."

Ishmail had already mounted his shaggy hill pony,
and was leading his myrmidons by a circuitous route to
their appointed station, when Mansfield, bringing his
rifle to a long trail, beckoned to Charles to follow him,
and began to ascend the hill with long strides. Close
at his heels followed a well-dressed peon, " bearded like
the pard," and bearing liis second rifle ; and Charles was
followed by a low caste native dressed in the white calico
robe usually worn by household servants in India, and
shouldering, with a look of great importance, an immense
hunting-spear, which he had borrowed from one of the
beaters. Mansfield, having crossed the ravine and as-
cended for some distance on the other side, halted near
a large gray stone, which commanded a full view of the
surrounding country.

" This is our post," said he ; " and now let us dispose
of ourselves scientifically. You, Sir, (addi'essing the
Peon,) leave my rifle here, get on the top of that rock,
keep a good look out, and make the usual signal to me

A day's HUXTING on the NEIT.GHERRY HII.I.S. 17

if vou see anything move." Then casting his eyes on
the long, stooping, effeminate figure of Charles's atten-
dant, who stood leaning on his spear with a look of
vacant wonder, " Who the devil have we here, Charles ?
To what species does this animal belong? Are we to
class him among the Quadrumana ? or does he aspire to
the more noble order of JBimana i*"

" I am not naturalist enough to decide the knotty
point," answered Charles, laughing; "but at present
he serves me in the honourable capacity of Mussaulchee^

" Yes," chimed in the grinning varlet, " I master's
Maty Boy, — very proper, very handsome Maty Boy, —
maty business, shikar business, too much kind of busi-
ness, I can do very proper. Sahib sometimes make fun,
call me Heels, because Sahib say my hind leg stepped
a-midship."

" Very well, Master Heels," replied Mansfield, striving
to repress a laugh, " I have no doubt whatever that your
talents are exceedingly diversified, but at present I do
not suppose we shall have any opportunity of calling
them into action ; so just be good enough to coil away
that misshapen figure of yours behind yonder stone, and
do not allow your baboon's head to appear over it, unless
you wish it to become better acquainted with the butt-
end of my rifle."

The indignant Heels looked daggers, but, like a
prudent person, slunk away quietly to his lair, mutter-
ing to himself some unintelligible jargon about maty
business, shikar business, and galee. Mansfield and
Charles now proceeded to conceal themselves behind a
rock which overhung the ravine, allowing nothing but

18

THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

their heads to appear over it, and in this situation
awaited the signal for putting the hounds into cover.

" Is not this considered rather an unfair style of
sport V inquired Charles. " I was told at Madras that
no one ever thought of killing a wild boar in India,
except on horseback, and with a spear."

" True ; such is the general rule, and a very proper
one. In the plains it is considered unmanly to kill a
hog in any other way than by riding him down ; and the
shooting of one is considered as great a crime as it would
be to shoot a fox in Leicestershire. But on these
mountains, where the steepness of the hills and the
swampy nature of the valleys renders it impossible to
ride to hog, the practice of shooting them is permitted,
and the rifle takes the place of the spear. — But hark !
there goes the signal."

The distant notes of a bugle were now heard ; and
ere the echo died away amongst the surrounding moun-
tains, the hounds came rushing over the crest of the
hill, like driving mist before the blasts of autumn, and
dashed gallantly into cover. Behind them advanced a
line of well-armed beaters, like skirmishers, in extended
order, sounding horns and beating tom-toms to rouse the
game. For some minutes these were the only sounds
heard ; but presently the voice of a single hound arose
upon the blast, and echoed do^\^l the rocky sides of the
ravine.

" Now then, my Lad,*" whispered Mansfield, rising on
one knee, and cocking his rifle, " look out, and screw
your nerves to the sticking-place : the old Boar will soon
be afoot ; and if once these dogs get fairly on his trail.

A day's HTNTING on THK XEfl.GHERRY HILLS. 19

they will not allow him to dodge long in cover. Hush !
hark ! — there he goes again : 't is old Speaker ; I know
his voice well, and he is no babbler, take ray word for
it. There, now Racer chimes in — now Rodney takes
it up. Steady, my Lad, steady ! 'T is all right now,
depend upon it."

Hound after hound now opened on the scent as it
gradually became warmer, till at length, the whole pack,
in full choiiis, came sweeping down the glen like a
hurricane, rousing the startled echoes of the woods,
and making the welkin ring with their joyous music.

At this moment Mansfield's attention was roused by
a low whistle overhead ; and looking up towards the
summit of the rock which overhung them, he beheld his
Peon poking his head cautiously forward, and pointing
with animated gestures towards the opposite side of the
ravine.

" The game is afoot !" cried Mansfield, eagerly grasp-
ing his hea\T rifle, and raising his body a little, so as to
command a better view. " And now I have him. See
there, Charles, on the opposite side of the glen, just
passing that gray rock which skirts the jungle. 'T is the
old Boar, and as big a one as I have seen this season.
By the hump of the Holy Camel, he looms as large as a
donkey ! "

As he said this, his rifle was slowly raised, and the
sight brought to bear upon the Boar, who was sulkily
trotting up a rocky path, occasionally stopping to listen
to the hounds, and churning the white foam betwixt his
enormous jaws. Charles watched the deliberate move-
ments of Mansfield with breatliless impatience; but, at

c 2

20 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

the very moment he expected to see him press the trig-
ger, the weapon was again lowered.

" It is a wild shot," said Mansfield, shaking his head.
" I have killed at as great a distance ; but three hundred
yards is too long a range, even for Clincher to throw a
ball with any degree of accuracy. Besides, from the
direction the beast is now taking, he must pass within
fifty yards of your Uncle's station ; and if he fails to
kill him, (which, by the way, is not likely, for 'Kill-deviP
seldom opens his mouth for nothing,) he is sure to cross
to our side, and give us a good shot." Then starting to
his feet, and waving his cap on high, he shouted across
the ravine, with the voice of a Stentor, " Mark ! Sir,
mark ! below you, and to the right ! "

The Boar, startled by the sound of his voice, sprang
forward, and began to bound up the rocky path with the
agility of a goat ; and at the same moment the elder
Lorimer was seen slowly raising his head from amongst
a thick clump of fern, in which he had concealed
himself.

" See, see ! " whispered Mansfield, smiling ; " how
cautiously the Old Gentleman raises his head above the
fern, like a cunning old grouse-cock. Ah ! now he
catches a view of the Boar, and ' Kill-devil ' is about to
speak. Silence, and watch."

The sharp crack of a rifle echoed amongst the rocks ;
but the Boar only bounded forward Avitli increased
speed ; whilst the cloud of dust which was knocked up
under his belly, and the shrill whistle of the bullet, as it
glanced from a stone, announced that it had fallen a
trifle short of its intended mark.

A DAy''s HCNTIXG OX THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. 21

" Missed him, by heavens ! " cried Mansfield, dashing
his cap to the ground, and stamping impatiently. " At
him again, Sir — at him again. Give him the other barrel."

A projecting rock had for a moment concealed the
Boar from the view of Lorimer; but the instant he
again appeared, the Old Gentleman pitched his rifle
forward, and fired rapidly. The report of his piece was
answered by a short, savage grunt from the Boar, who
staggered slightly ; but immediately recovering himself,
he turned sharp round, and scrambled with wonderful
rapidity down the rugged side of the ravine.

"Good!" exclaimed Mansfield; "that shot told,
although not exactly in the right spot. There is nothing
like pitching your gun at them, and pidling quick, with
swift-going animals. — And now, Charles," said he, turn-
ing to his companion, " look out, and let us see how you
can handle a rifle. He is certain to cross to our side,
and break within an easy shot of us, and, with an ounce
of lead through his body, will not be quite so quick in
his movements as he was at first. Down again behind
the stone, and keep quiet."

A rustling in the bushes, directly below them, soon
announced that the Boar was at hand. The next instant
the brushwood was thrust aside, and the enormous brute
burst forth within twenty paces of them. His small
twinkling eyes flashed with malignant fire, and the foam
which besmeared his jaws was slightly tinged with blood.
As he gained the top of the bank, he stopped for an in-
stant, and turned his head on one side, as if listening to
the hounds which followed hotly on the scent.

" Now is the time," whispered Mansfield; "be cool,

22 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

and mind you hit him well forward, through the shoulder
if possible."

Charles, trembling with excitement, thrust forward
his rifle and fired, making the white splinters fly from a
tree beyond the Boar, and at least three feet above him.
At the same instant the unfortunate Heels, startled by
the shot, sprang up with a look of wild astonishment
from behind the stone where he had lain all this time en-
joying a comfortable nap. The enraged Boar no sooner
got a glimpse of his white dress, than, uttering a savage
grunt, he made at him cm pas de charge, tossed him over
his head, and sent him rolling and shrieking do^^^l the
precipitous bank. Ere Mansfield had time to raise his
rifle, the hounds had come up, and dashing without hesi-
tation at the enraged brute, seized him by the ears.

" Whoop to him, my gallant dogs ! hold him and
shake him ! " shouted Mansfield, whilst the Boar strug-
gled in vain to disengage himself from the jaws of the
powerful hounds. " Just look at that savage devil
Rodney, that large brindled dog between a hound and a
bulldog; see how gallantly he stands up to him. But
we must put a stop to this, or he '11 rip the dogs to
pieces. Here, Charles, my boy, pick up that spear
which poor Heels has dropped in his agony. You shall
have the honour of giving him the coup de grace."

Charles, delighted at having an opportunity of making
amends for his bad shot, eagerly grasped the spear and
walked steadily up to the Boar. The brute, seeing hira
approach, redoubled his efforts, and, freeing himself by
one tremendous struggle from the hounds, plunged madly
forward. But Charles, whose blood was now effectually

A DAY S HLNTl.XG OX THE XEILGHEKRY HILLS. Zo

roused, coolly lowered the point of his unwieldy weapon,
and awaited the charge. The enraged Boar rushed with
blind fury on his antagonist. The broad bladed spear
buried itself deep in his brawny chest, and, with one
savage grunt of defiance, he sank to the earth, wallowing
in blood and foam.

" Gallantly done, my boy!" shouted Mansfield; "we
shall make a Sportsman of you yet, in spite of the new
tops and white inexpressibles. I see you have plenty of
nerve to handle a spear, and only want a little practice
to make you a dangerous fellow A\-ith the rifle. "

During this exclamation, Charles, who had withdra^\Ti
his blood-stained spear, stood leaning against it, and
gazing in silent wonder at the gigantic proportions of the
brute which lay gasping at his feet.

"Ay, he is a big one," said Mansfield, " and his head
will be a fine trophy to lay at the feet of your Fair Cou-
sin. But he is dead enough now, and we may leave him
to the beaters, who will do the needful with him, as soon
as their work is over. Let us go now and examine the
plight of your unfortunate page Heels, who, if I mistake
not, will stand in some need of the leech's aid. Your
old Boar seldom makes a charge without leaving his
marks behind ; and I can tell you, from experience, that
they are no love-pinches. I cannot help feeling for the
poor devil, although I can hardly divest myself of the idea
that the crcatm-e ought to be classed amongst the order
Quadrumana.''''

Having returned to the edge of the glen, they beheld
a prickly bush about half way do\Mi the hill in violent
agitation, although no living creature could be distin-
guished tlii'ough its tangled branches; and from the

24 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

midst of it issued lamentations like those of a condemned
spirit in Limbo, mingled with fearful maledictions against
the old Boar and all his ancestors, male and female, even
to the tenth generation.

" How the Pagan blasphemes ! " exclaimed Mansfield,
laughing heartily; for he was now convinced, from the
energetic manner in which INIaster Heels expressed him-
self, that he was not so seriously hurt as he had at first
feared. " He is gifted with the true Malabar style of
eloquence, and must have studied the noble art of abuse
under the directions of his Grandmother. There is no
one who understands real piquant slang like your ancient
Malabar dame ; I would back one of them at any time to
silence the whole battery of Billingsgate market. But
we must go to the relief of the poor wretch, for he is
evidently unable to extricate himself from the durance
vile in which he is held by that prickly bush."

Having scrambled do^^^l the hill, they succeeded, after
some difficulty, in relieving poor Heels from his awkward
situation. He had, almost by a miracle, escaped the
deadly rip of the Boar's tusk. But in other respects he
was in a very sorry plight. He was sorely battered by the
fall — his white robe was torn to shreds and be^neared
with blood — and his face was so dreadfully scratched and
disfigured by the brambles into which he had fallen, that
scarcely a feature could be distinguished. Having re-
placed his turban, which had been knocked off in the
scramble, and wiped his face as well as' he could with his
sleeve, he thus addressed Charles in blubbering accents,
whilst he busied himself in extracting the numerous
thorns which still remained buried in his flesh.

" Suppose, Master, plea.se I take leave. This shikar

A DAY S HUNTING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. "io

business very trouble business — jungle pig not good, he
too much bobbery make — all same like tiger. Small
shikar I can do very proper, but this jungle shikar too
much bad. Suppose, Master, cut off my head, I never
can do that business."

The two Sportsmen, after enjoying a hearty laugh at
the expense of poor Heels, relieved his mind by assuring
him that his services would no longer be required to assist
in the much dreaded jungle shikar, and that he might
take leave as soon as he pleased. The poor trembling
wretch made a salaam of profound gratitude, and turning
his face towards the cantonment, limped away towards
home with a degree of speed which nothing but mortal
terror could have inspired.

CHAPTER III.

A DAY'S HUNTING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS,

(continued.)

The unlucky "Heels" had disappeared in the distance,
and the recall of the huntsman's bugle had brought toge-
ther the scattered hounds, as old Lorimer scrambled up
the steep hill-side, mounted on his shaggy little pony,
" Marble."

"Come, Gentlemen," cried he, as he pulled off his green
hunting-cap, and wiped the perspiration from his forehead,
"don't let us lose time; the hounds are all assembled,
and we have still plenty of work before us. Our next
beat is to be the large wood, at the back of this hill,
where we have twelve deer marked down. You all know
your stations there, I believe. And after that, we shall
try the rocky glen, below the ' Todah Mund,' in hopes of
finding that large bear which gave us the slip last Satur-
day. You must exert yourselves this time. Lads, and not
let him escape again. I hear that the old blackguard has
taken a fancy to human flesh of late, and has carried
off a Todah Woman and a Child within the last three
days. So die he must ; if we hunt him for a week.
As to the hogs, we have given a tolerably good account
of them. This boar and three fat sows have been sent

A DAYS HUNTING ON THE NEII.GHERRY HILLS. 2/

to the shades. So let's mount and be off. Ha! Charles,
my boy, give me your hand ; you stood up to that old boar
like a man ; and the way in which you handled your spear
made me forget the disgrace you brought upon my rifle
by that first shot of yours. Oh, you young dog, it was a
devil of a miss that ! a most palpable miss — worthy of my
friends the 'thistle whippers ! ' You shut both your eyes
when you fired that shot, eh ? — did you not, you young
dog, eli^ Well, well — never look ashamed, boy — I have
seen older hands than you make as bad a miss before now,
and trust to their heels rather than a spear afterwards.
Eh! Doctor — do you recollect that wounded sow that
gave you such a devil of a gruelling^ up the hill at ' Ral-
liah,' last week I Faith, you may thank your long legs
and the oimce of lead I lodged in her shoulder for being
now in a whole skin."

The person whom Lorimer thus addressed was a tall,
bony, loose-jointed figure apparently about fifty years
of age, who looked as if his limbs were attached to his
body by wires. His large hands, covered with red hair
and freckles, projected several inches beyond the wrist-
bands of his scanty jacket ; and his gaunt misshapen legs
terminated in a sort of palmated foot — we can find no
other word expressive of its peculiar formation — which
gave to the whole limb the appearance of an ingeniously
contrived machine for crushing cock-roaches or stopping
a mouse in a corner. His scalp was thatched, rather
than clothed, with coarse red hair. And his face, — But
how can we ever do justice to that inimitably expressive
countenance ? — It was a face which, at first sight, gave
one a lively idea of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.
There was the sallow complexion, the high cheek-bones,

28 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

the capacious mouth, the interminable nose, and the
solemn look of a Don Quixote. Yet, with all this, there
were lines of mirth lurking round the corners of the
mouth, a pawky expression in the eye, and an extra-
ordinary power of motion in the extremity of the long
proboscis, which, when called into action, rendered the
worthy Doctor's face one of the most perfectly mirth-
inspiring we have ever had the good fortune to meet with.

Of his character we shall only say, that under this
rouffh exterior our friend the Doctor carried a heart true
as steel, and overflowing, not only with mirth, but with
the unadulterated milk of human kindness.

He was one of our oldest and most intimate friends ;
and we can safely say that, either as a boon-companion,
or a trusty friend in the hour of need, we have never met
the fellow to Long Jock Macphee.

" Indeed then. Sir," replied the Doctor, glancing
doNMiwards towards his uncouth limbs, " thae same lang
legs o' mine are no ill things at a pinch; and in my
opeenion are mair to be lippened till than the best spear
amang tham a'. But, at the same time, I was muckle
indebted to you, Sir, for that bit lead ye put into the
beast. It was just in the nick o' time, for I was sair
taigled wi' thae lang leather spats — thae leggins, as ye
ca' them; — mair fit for an Indian savage than a Christian
man. And the muckle beast was just at the grippin
o' me when ye coA\'pet her. Gude preserve us frae a'
lang-nebbit things ! — it gars me grue to think o't ?
The wild ' grumph ! ' * grumph ! ' ' grumph ! ' o' the
rampawgin deevil just ahint me — and me expectin' every
moment to feel her muckle white teeth play chack through
my hurdies. Ay, ye may laugh, Lads ; but, faith, it was

A day's hunting on the netlgherry hills. 29

nae laughin' sport to me — and that ye '11 ken, the first
time ony o' you tries a race wi' ane o' thae wild swine.
They 're just perfect deevils incarnate ! My eertie! ye 're
waur aff wi' ane o' them than Tam O'Shanter wi' Cutty
Sark at his heels — for she only pou't aff the grey meere's
tail; but faith, lads, it's your ain tail that's in danger
when ye come to grips wi' a wild soo ! "

This speech of the Doctor's elicited a roar of laughter
from his companions, in which he good-humouredly joined;
and the whole party, mounting their ponies, cantered
over the hill to take up their positions for the next beat.

The scene is now changed to one of those wild solitary
valleys through which the superfluous water of the hills
makes its escape, and rushes on its headlong course down
the almost perpendicular side of the mountain. From
hence the glowing plains of the Carnatic are seen extended
like a living map 8000 feet below the spectator. The
valley itself presents a scene of wild and savage grandeur,
contrasting beautifully with the luxuriant palm groves
and voluptuous sunshine of the low country, over which
the eye wanders, for many leagues, till it is lost in the
dreamy indistinctness of the distance, where earth and
sky become blended in a red fiery haze. Light fleecy
clouds are hurried swiftly across the heavens, and shiver-
ed, as it were, against the craggy peaks of that granite
mountain, which towers high amidst the region of storms,
whilst all around is hushed, silent, and motionless, as
the sleep of infancy. The only sound which breaks the
death-like stillness is the wild, unearthly cry of the great
black monkey — a deep, loud "wooh!"" "wooh!" which
rising suddenly, and at long intervals, from the gloomy
recesses of the wood, has a strange, startling effect, and

30 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

suggests to one's mind the idea of a stray satyr calling to
his mates.

ISIansfield and Charles have just taken up their position
behind the shelter of a palmira bush.

The former, accustomed to such scenes, is sitting with
his ponderous rifle across his knee, his thumb resting on
the cock, and his head turned a little on one side, watch-
ing, with the unwearied patience of an Indian hunter,
to catch the faintest sound: whilst the more romantic
Charles, allowing his weapon to lie idly by his side, gazes
with rapture on the glorious view, and, if I am any judge
of physiognomy, is thinking more of his pretty Cousin
than of the deer.

The hounds have opened on the scent.

"Down! do^Mi! — crouch like a panther!"" whispered
Mansfield, seizing Charles by the arm, and pulling him
more behind the shelter of the bush. " Do you remark
that crackling amongst the dr}^ branches just below us ?
It is a deer, and he will break at that opening where
you see a beaten path like a sheep- track. It is their
regiUar run ; keep your eye upon the spot, and watch."

" I see him,'" whispered Charles, cocking his rifle, and
making a motion to rise. " I see his antlers moving
above that bush of wild jessamine."

"Stay, stay, my boy — not so fast," replied Mansfield,
smiling at the eagerness of his young companion. "It
requires a little more experience than you have had, to
judge whereabouts a stag's shoulder should lie, when
nothing but the points of his horns are visible. Don't
fire till you can see his body. He is listening intently to
the hounds, and does not observe us, so there is no hurry.
Now then he moves — now ! "

A day's huntixg on the neilgherry hills. 31

A sharp crack — a dull plashing sound — the noble stag
plunges madly forward — and over, over, over he rolls,
staining the green herbage with his life-blood, which
gushes fast from a rugged hole in his side.

INIansfield's Peon springs forward with the bound of a
tiger, and, muttering a short prayer, like a good Mussul-
man as he is, buries the long glittering blade of a hunting
knife in the throat of his victim. The "stricken deer"
gasps painfully for breath — his wide nostril is distended
— his bloodshot eye rolls wildly for a moment — his limbs
quiver in the last agony — he heaves a long shuddering
sigh, and dies.

This was the first deer that Charles had ever seen
fall, and his heart smote him as he witnessed its dying
struggles.

Is not this rather a cruel amusement? whispered con-
science. Does not your savage nature relent as you see
that graceful creature weltering in his blood, and, in the
last agonies, bending his dark languid eye upon your face,
as if asking, What have I done to deserve this I Do you
not almost wish that the fatal ball had sped less truly to
its mark I

^Mansfield, who had watched the working of his com-
panion's features, as he gazed pensively on the dying stag,
here interrupted him with a gentle tap on the shoulder.

" I can read your thoughts, boy ; and they do credit
to your heart. Even I, old sportsman as I am, can
sympathize with you in a feeling which many men affect
to call weakness, but which I consider merely as a proof
of a good heart, and one which no man need be ashamed
of. I can look unmoved on the dying struggles of the
foaming boar. I even experience a sort of savage satis-

32 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

faction, as the last faint growl rattles in the throat of the
surly bear; and the expiring roar of the vanquished tiger
is music in my ears. But I never yet slew a deer that a
feeling of pity, such as you now experience, did not im-
mediately succeed the burst of exultation which invariably
accompanies a well-directed shot ; and yet, the very next
moment, I was exerting my utmost skill to accomplish
the death of some other animal, and felt all the disap-
pointment of a baffled tiger if my ball did not take effect.
We are strange unaccountable animals in this respect.
But I am satisfied it is not cruelty — it is not a thirst for
blood which inspires us with a love for the chase. No !
it is a far nobler feeling ; — a species of ambition — a love
of enterprise ; the pleasure arising from which depends
entirely on the difficulties to be surmounted in the attain-
ment of our object. What satisfaction, for instance,
would it give a sportsman to be turned loose in a park,
full of fallow deer, where, if shedding blood were his
object, he might gratify that propensity to his hearths
content ? None whatever. There are no difficulties to
be surmounted, and he would look upon himself in the
light of a butcher. But after a long day's stalking
through a Highland glen — after making a round of many
weary miles to get down the wind of the ever-watchful
red deer — after creeping through the heather like a
snake, and wearing his knees to the bone amongst the
coarse gravel of a dry watercourse, — how breathless that
moment of intense anxiety to the sportsman when he first
ventures to raise his head above the sheltering bank, and
finds the object of all his labour, a noble stag often tines,
still feeding in the very spot where he first observed him!
And, Oh ! the electric thrill of exultation, when the

A DAY S HIJXTIXG OX THE NEILGHERRY Hirr.S. 33

crack of his rifle is answered by that dull soft thud,
grateful to the sportsman's ear as the voice of her he
loves ; and the proud stag, bounding high into air, falls
gasping on the bloody heath ! — Bah ! the sensations of a
young lady on receiving her first proposal are nothing to
this. But, hai-k ! the merry music of the hounds comes
sweeping by us on the blast, and scatters all my roman-
tic and moralizing ideas to the four winds of heaven.
Hurra!"

But 't were long to tell of all the deer that fell in the
course of this beat. Suffice it to say that many proud
antlered heads bowed before the unerring rifle of INIans-
field ; and that the worthy Doctor expended more than
his usual allowance of ammimition, with even less than
his usual success.

The party had assembled at luncheon by the time
Mansfield and Charles joined them ; and, as they ap-
proached, their ears were saluted by the loud tones of
old Lorimer's voice, swearing as usual by "the beard of
the Prophet," and "the bones of his ancestors,*" while he
vented his \vTath, in no very measured terms, against the
unfortunate Doctor.

"Well, you d — d long slip of anatomy, you expect to
get something to line your ungodly maw, do you, after
the good sernce you have done us to-day ? Bones of my
ancestors, man ! it might grumble long enough before
you filled it with venison of your o^ati killing, although, to
do you justice, you are as good a shot at a venison-pasty
as any one I know. Why, you vender of ratsbane ! what
the devil were you thinking of, to let all those deer pass
you? Fifteen shots have I seen you fire this blessed day

34 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

—fifteen shots, by the beard of the Prophet ! and not a
hoof to show for them. Hang it, man, that last hind
passed so close, you might have thro\vn salt on her tail,
and yet, after four shots, away she went, bounding over
the hills like a kangaroo, with half the pack at her heels;
and when we shall get them back again, the devil only
knows. Speak, you misbegotten son of Esculapius ! Why
don't you speak, and let us hear what you have to say for
yourself?"

The Doctor, who was well accustomed to the Old
Gentleman's eccentric ways, and knew him to be one of
those privileged characters who say and do whatever they
like, without giving offence to any one, sat very coolly
exploring the inmost recesses of a venison-pasty, whilst
he listened with imperturbable gravity to this harangue.
At length, bolting an enormous mouthful, and washing it
down with a long pull at the hrandy-panee^ he thus re-
plied, still keeping his knife ready to resume his attack
on the pasty.

" Ca' cannie. Sir ! — ca' cannie ! For ony sake, dinna
be puttin yersell throughither that gaet. It 's no good
for the digestion. It 's an unco bad thing for a person o'
your plethoric habit to be giving way to sic violent emo-
tions sae soon after meals. Do you no ken, Sir, it's very
apt to bring on a fit o' apoplexy? Gude preserve us! but
he 's gettin awfu' red in the face ! It 's amaist black !
I 'm thinkin, Sir, I '11 need to tak some blude frae you.
Just bide a wee till I get my lance," continued the Doc-
tor, coolly turning up his sleeves, " I '11 no be a crack."

"You and your lance be hanged!'" roared the Old
Gentleman, trying to look fierce, but quite unable to sup-

A day's hunting on the neilgherry hills. So

press a laugh. " Sit down, you vampire, and say your say
without farther circumlocution."

" Weel, then, Sir," replied the Doctor, eyeing a
savoury morsel -which he had just impaled on his fork;
" Weel, then, I '11 just tell you, in three words, that it
was your ain fault, and nae fault o' mine that sae mony
o' the deer jinkit past me this same day."

"My fault, Sir! how the devil do you make out that it
was my fault?"

" 'Deed, then, Mr. Lorimer, it was just your fault, and
naelaody else"'s. Ye will persist in gan-in me aye shoot wi'
a single bullet, and ane o' thae bits o' rifles, that lets nae
mair crack than a pen-gun ; although I 've threippet on
you, till I 'm weariet, that I hae nae skill o' sic like new-
fangled weapons, and am no fit to hit a peat-stack wi' ane
o' them. But just gie me a good honest fusee, wi' plenty
o' pouther, to gar it tell against a body's cheek, and a
nievefu' o' grit shot on the top o"* that, and I '11 cation
mysell to ding as mony Staigs as ony o' you, — no exceptin
yoursell. Sir ; or that chiel Mansfield, wha makes sic a
phraze aboot his rifle gun, and his lang ranges. As to
the lang ranges, I '11 maybe no kill a beast on the ither
side o' ane o' thae glens, whare ye need the prospec-glass
to see whether it 's a dun deer or a grey soo that ye'r
firin at. But, faith, there 's no mony o' them 'ill gi'
me the jink if ance they come within a christianlike
distance."

What answer old Lorimer would have given to the
Doctor's heretical plan of employing "plenty o' pouther,
and a nievefu' o' grit shot," is unkno^^•n, although, I sus-
pect, he was just on the point of consigning the Doctor
and his fusee to the bottomless pit. But, luckily for

D 2

36 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

them, Ishmail at this moment stepped forward, with his
usual profound salaam, to report that the stray hounds
had been collected.

The fragments of the luncheon were quickly disposed
of, the cigars lighted, and the whole party moved off in
the wake of Ishmail and his hounds, to beat that famous
glen, below the Todah-Mund, which every Neilgherry
sportsman must recollect, as being the favourite resort
both of bears and tigers.

It is rather a ravine than a glen. A deep rent in the
side of the mountain, so narrow that the light of day can
hardly penetrate. The rocky sides rise abruptly to the
height of 500 feet, rugged and splintered, as if torn
asunder — and no doubt they have been — by some gi-and
convulsion of nature.

The bottom is clothed with an almost impenetrable
underwood of tangled bamboo ; whilst along the sides a
few gnarled, misshaj^en trees, chiefly rhododendrons, shoot
out from amongst the crevices of the rocks, stretching
their fantastic branches, all glowing with scarlet flowers,-
across the ravine, and weaving their snake-like roots
into every fissure which affords the slightest prospect of
moisture; their moss-gro\Mi bark, and distorted limbs,
proving how hard a struggle they must have, to extract
sufficient nourishment from the niggardly soil.

The information which old Lorimer had received of his
friend the Bear''s man-eating propensities, made him more
than ever anxious to ensure his destruction.

All the known outlets were strongly guarded, and on
every high peak of rock, which commanded a good view,
might be seen the motionless figure of a Native, perched
like some huge bird of prey, and watching, with eagle

A DAYS HUNTIXG OX THE XEILGHERRY HIM.S. o/

glance, to prevent the possibility of any animal stealing
away unobserved.

All being stationed at their respective posts, the gallant
Ishmail contemplated the distribution of the forces with
a grim smile of satisfaction, and fiercely twirling his long
mustache, which curled upwards to his eyes, shouted,
in a loud clear tone, to the dog-keepers, '•'■ Chor do T
At the signal twenty impatient hounds bounded from the
leash, and dashed into cover.

" Have at him, my little tigers ! Whose dogs are we
that he should laugh at our beards? By the hump of
the Holy Cainel he shall this day be made to eat dirt.
Show your ugly snout, — meet me if you dare, — you old
grey-headed hantchoot. I defile your mother's grave,
and spit on your father's beard!" So saying, Ishmail
drew his \\Q2i\y tulwar, or native sword, — and wrapping
his cumherhund tightly round his left arm, to act as a
shield in case of necessity, stalked, with an air of deter-
mined resolution, into the gloomy jungle.

" There goes old Ishmail, with his whiskers bristling
like an enraged tiger-cat," exclaimed ^Mansfield, laughing,
as he watched these proceedings from his place of con-
cealment amongst the rocks. "His blood is fairly up
now, and he is determined to make the Bear show his
grey muzzle, even if he drives him out at the point of the
sword. Hark ! they have found already."

Deep and angry now arose the baying of the eager
hounds, from out the gloomy depths of the ravine, and
wildly did the prolonged echoes reverberate the sound.
But it was no longer the musical chime with which they
swept along on the hot scent of the flying deer.

38 THE OLD FOREST UANGEB.

The sound was now stationary, and the short angry
barking of the dogs was mingled with an occasional yeU
of pain, announcing that some unfortunate hound had
suffered for his temerity, in attempting to close with his
formidable antagonist.

" What an obstinate brute!" exclaimed Mansfield, as
he stretched forward over a projecting rock, in hopes
of getting a glimpse of what was going on in the thick
jungle below. " I never in my life met with a Bear that
stood so much bullying; they generally start at once,
and make a running fight of it."

A tremendous roar, followed by a despairing death-
shriek, now arose with fearful distinctness above the
confused baying and howling of the dogs. For a moment
there was a death-like silence, as if every living thing had
been paralyzed by that voice of thunder. Then a strong
rustling amongst the tangled bamboos, — a deep, surly
growl, mingled with a stifled tlirottling cry, — a faint
groan, and again the baying of the hounds was resumed,
but less eagerly than before, and in a whining, midecided
tone, betwixt anger and fear.

The shouting of the terrified beaters was now heard in
all directions, and next moment many of them were seen
rushing from the jungle, and scrambling up the face of
the rocks; whilst, with frantic gestures, they waved to
their companions below to fall back.

*' By heavens, I thought so," shouted Mansfield, start-
ing to his feet, and instinctively grasping his rifle, as the
well-known roar of a Tiger reached his ear.

"Thought what?" asked Charles, astonished at the
unusual excitement of his stoical companion.

A day's hunting on THK NEILGHEHRY Illl.L^!. tM)

" Why, that we have caught a Tartar, that 's all ; —
slipped the poor dogs at a Tiger, instead of a lubberly old
Bear. Thank God, the beaters are all out of danger now,
except the poor fellow whose death-shriek we heard, and
he is, no doubt, beyond the leech's aid. But we must
bestir ourselves, else the brute will not leave a hound
alive."

In the enthusiasm of the moment Mansfield had slung
his rifle across his shoulder, and, in spite of the remon-
strances of Charles, was about to attempt the desperate
experiment of scrambling down the face of the rock, and
shooting the Tiger in his lair; when his motions were
arrested by the voice of Ishmail.

" Stop, Sahib ! In the name of the holy Prophet,
stop! What madness has seized you ?" shouted the poor
fellow in Hindostanee, as panting and smeared with blood
he scrambled painfully to the top of the rock.

"Ishmail, my boy, you are wounded!" exclaimed Mans-
field, running towards him. " It was not you whom the
Tiger struck down just now?"

"No, Sahib. Men do not climb rocks after being
knocked down by a Tiger. It was poor Asmodine, my
helper, whose cry you heard. I was standing close by
him ; he received the weight of the blow, and is now
amongst the Houries, praise be to Allah ; whilst I have
escaped with a slight scratch on the shoulder."

Here Ishmail pulled aside his tattered garments, and
exhibited a wound, which looked as if inflicted by a gar-
dener's rake, and from which the blood flowed in long
purple streaks over his oily skin.

" Faith, Master Ishmail, that same shght scratch will

40 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

require some square yards of Dr, Mc.Phee's plaster
before you are in marching order again. But, Ishmail,
what is to be done i Is there no chance of driving the
brute from his stronghold?"

" Sahib, the Tiger is no fool, he will not come out to
eat your Higlmess's bullets."

"But he is tearing the dogs to pieces, man; and unless
we assist them, he will not leave one alive. I think I
could manage to get down to that ledge of rock above
him, and shoot him as he lies."

" No, Sahib ; had that been possible he w^ere dead ere
now. But I have examined the place well : he lies in a
sort of cave directly under that ledge of rock, so that it
is impossible to get a view of him, except from the level
ground directly in his front. May dogs defile his father's
beard ! he has chosen his ground well. Nothing but
rockets can force him to leave it ; and, please Allah, it
shall not be for want of rockets, if he lives to see the sun
set to-morrow. But at present we must leave him, Sahib.
It would be the act of a madman to attack him in his den."

"But the dogs, IshmaiH"

" He will kill no more dogs, Sahib. Our three best
hounds, the only ones who had courage to close with him,
have already been destroyed, and the others are only
baying him at a prudent distance. They will be glad
enough to leave him when they hear the recall sounded."

" Alas ! poor Asmodine, yours has been a cruel death.
But it shall not go unrevenged."

So said old Lorimer, as he turned from regarding the
mangled corse of his faithful follower, and wiped a tear
from hi.^ bronzed cheek.

A day's hunting on the NEILGHERRY HILLS. 41

His companions had dragged the body from the jungle
at the risk of their Hves. And the Doctor, after exa-
mining the wounds, had just reported him dead. The
remains of the poor fellow presented a ghastly spectacle,
and a fearful example of the destructive powers of a
Tiger. The fore part of the skull was crushed in like an
egg-shell, and evidently by the mere weight of the paw,
for there was no mark on the head either of teeth or
claws. The glazed, bloodshot eyes were forced from their
sockets : and a thin stream of black blood flowed from
each nostril, and trickled slowly do\Mi the sunken, lead-
coloured cheeks. Besides this, it appeared that the Tiger
had seized him with his teeth ; the whole of the throat and
the skin of the breast being torn away; leaving the root of
the tongue exposed, and the bare muscles of the chest still
quivering with convulsive twitches, although it was evi-
dent, from the nature of his wounds, that the poor fellow's
death must have been almost instantaneous.

" Rodney, Racer, and Speaker killed, Sahib, and
others badly wounded," said Islmiail, as, with the im-
portant air of an Officer on duty, he advanced to make
his report, after having mustered the hounds.

" The devil fly away with these cursed Tigers," replied
Lorimer. " This makes seventeen hounds that I have
kjst by them since last May. Couple up the dogs,
Ishmail ; I have not the heart to put them into cover
again to-day. See that those which are wounded be
carefully carried home in cumhleys, and have this poor
fellow's body removed into camp. And now, gentlemen,
A\e had better mount and jog homewards, ^^"c can do
no more to-day ; but to-morrow "

42 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Here he raised his voice, shook his clenched fist, and
stamping on the ground —

" By the bones of my ancestors, if we live to see to-
morrow, the infernal Tiger shall pay dearly for this day's
work. — Ishmail, you will see that there are plenty of
fire-works provided."

" Jo Hookum, Sahib,'''' replied Ishmail, sternly, cast-
ing a sidelong glance at his mangled shoulder, and
grinding his teeth.

" But the Bear," asked Mansfield ; " must we let him
slip through our fingers, Sir?"

" I am sorry to say, Mansfield, he has done so already.
The scouts report that the brute stole away whilst we
were tackling the Tiger, and he is, no doubt, far beyond
our reach. — Burmah, my horse."

Burmali, a little dark, square-built, bushy-whiskered
Mahratta, approached, leading the powerful gray Arab
horse which his master had ridden in the morning, now
fresh and well groomed. And, as he patted the glossy
arched neck of the noble animal, he addressed him in
the most extravagant terms of endearment, such as a
nurse lavishes on her child ; whilst the sagacious crea-
ture, as if grateful for his caresses, pricked his small
ears, and rubbed his velvet muzzle against the naked
shoulder of his groom.

Most of the party had mounted, and the beaters
were beginning to move off, bearing the mangled body
of their companion slung on a bamboo, together with
the wounded dogs, and as much of the game as they
c<Hild conveniently carry ; when Mansfield, who had
for some minutes been gazing intently at a distant

A day's hunting on the neilgherry hills. 48

hill, shouted to his Peon, in a voice which made him
start —

" Abdallah ! my spy-glass — quick, man — quick !"

" What see you V asked Lorimer.

" Can't say exactly, Sir ; but it looks devilish like our
friend the Bear."

" Impossible, man ! He could never be such a fool as
to take across that open line of country."

"By Heavens! it is though," cried Mansfield, with
exultation, handing the glass to Lorimer ; " and on
ground where we can ride him, too. He is making for
the large wood above Nidiwuttum. But he has two long
miles of open country before him, and the devil is in it
if little Bundoolah does not lay me alongside of him
before he reaches it. Here 's at him, at all events —
who '11 follow ? "

So saying, he sprang to the saddle, snatched a spear
from one of the beaters, drove in his spurs, and sitting
well back, with a strong pull at Bundoolah's head, dashed
down the rocky hill-side at the top of his speed.

Old Lorimer rode too heavy to attempt a racing pace
over such break-neck ground. And the rest of the party,
with the exception of Charles, being mounted on little
shoi*t-legged hill-ponies, had no chance.

Charles, however, was well mounted, and his young
blood boiled to rival the daring feats of Mansfield, the
pride of the Mysore country. Glancing around him in
search of some weapon, his eye rested on the ornamented
hilt of Ishmail's sword.

" This will do famously," cried he, as Ishmail handed
him his tulwar with an ironical smile, which seemed to

44 THE OLD I'OREST RA.VGEK.

say, " It will do all your work as well as anything else —
a broomstick might serve your turn, for that matter."

But this was lost upon Charles, who eagerly clutched
the sword, and waving it triumphantly around his head,
rattled down the hill in hot pursuit of his companion.

" You '11 find that a queer tool to tackle a Bear with,
my hearty," shouted old Lorimer, laughing, as he and
the rest of the party followed at a steady canter.
Charles only answered by another wave of his sword
and an extra dig of the spurs.

But we must follow Mansfield. The tremendous pace
at which he rattled over the ground soon brought him
up with the chase. He was now within fifty yards of
the Bear, who, finding that matters began to look serious,
was shambling along at his best pace, his foaming jaws
distended, and his tongue lolling far out of his mouth.
Three strides more would have brought him within
spear's length. But Bundoolah began to show symp-
toms of distress. And there being no rival at hand to
dispute with him the honour of the first spear, Mans-
field pulled up for a moment, to let his panting horse
gather fresh wind before going into action with an enemy
who, in all probability, would try the mettle both of
horse and rider.

The spear which Mansfield had snatched up in his
hurry was not exactly such a one as a sportsman would
have selected from choice. It was a heavy unmanage-
able weapon, headed with about half a ton of iron, well
covered with rust, and not much sharper than the fluke
of an anchor.

" A small touch of the file would do no harm here,"

A day's hunting on the nkilgtierry hills. 45

thought Mansfield, as he felt the point with his finger,
and thought of the razor-like edge of his favourite hog-
spear ; " but never mind, I must only give it the more
powder. Now then, Bundoolah, we '11 try it."

So saying, he gathered up the reins, fixed himself well
in the saddle, and closing his heels, the trusty Bundoolah
bounded forward like an antelope. A true son of the
desert, he feared neither beast nor devil, and dashed up
to the bear without hesitation, in spite of the growl of
defiance with which he was saluted. Taking a steady
pull at his horse's head, and closing his left heel, ready
to wheel off as the blow was struck, Mansfield poised
his hai-poon-like spear, and drove it with his whole
strength into the broad back of his sm-ly antagonist.

" That 's tlurough your d d black hide, tougli

though it be, else there 's no virtue in iron No, by

the Lord — no blood ! " and Mansfield ground his teeth
with vexation, as the blunted spear glanced off the
Bear's shaggy hide, only inflicting a slight scratch. The
enraged brute turned on his pursuer with a tremendous
roar. Quick as thought Mansfield wheeled off to avoid
the charge ; but in doing so his horse stumbled ; and
ere Bundoolah could recover himself, the gigantic fore
paws of the Bear were clasped round his neck, his teeth
firmly fixed in his throat, and horse and rider rolled
together on the ground.

At this critical moment Charles appeared in sight,
thundering over the stones at headlong speed — his horse
in a lather of foam, — his bloody spurs driven to the head
at every stride, — and his sword-blade flashing in the sun,
as he waved it over his head.

46 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Half mad with excitement, the impetuous boy never
dreamt of gathering his horse together as he neared the
Bear, but dashed at him at speed, and with a slackened
rein. The consequence was, that the animal — terrified
by the smell of blood, and the piteous groaning of poor
Bundoolah, as he lay gasping in the deadly embrace of
the Bear — bounded suddenly to one side, reared up on
end, and spun round. Charles, although a good horse-
man, was taken by surprise, lost his balance, and fell.
Nothing daunted, however, he instantly scrambled to his
feet, rushed towards the Bear, who still continued to
hold down the struggling horse, and buried his sword up
to the hilt in his body.

The wounded monster quitted the horse, and rushed,
open-mouthed, at his new assailant. Charles sprang
back to avoid the first rush, and watching his oppor-
tunity, when the Bear reared on his hind legs, plunged
the sword deep into his chest. Fortunately for Charles
it pierced his heart. The enormous brute fell heavily
forward; a stream of black blood gushed from his
mouth ; and the much-dreaded Bear, the man-eater,
the monarch of the rocky glen, lay at the feet of his
conqueror, a harmless mass of black fur and bear's
grease.

" Hurra ! " shouted Mansfield, who was just beginning
to recover from the stunning effects of his fall, and had
raised himself on his elbow, " killed him, by the Lord,
and killed him well, too — Charles, you are a lucky dog ;
I would have given a month's pay to have struck that
blow. But you may thank your good stars that you hap-
pened to touch his heart, for these infernal Bears have

A day's hunting on the neilgherry hills. 47

as many lives as a cat, and had you stabbed him in any
other part, he would have had your head half way doAVTi
his throat before I could have come to your assistance.
However, all's well that ends well — so lend me a hand
to rise, Charles — Ha ! confound it, how stiff I am. I
verily believe Bundoolah must have rolled over me, for 1
feel as if my back were broken."

Mansfield, although stmmed and severely bruised, had
escaped all serious injiuy, and was quite fresh by the
time the rest of the party came up.

" Ishmail's old tulwar has proved a better weapon for
' tackling ' the Bear than you expected, my venerable
Uncle," cried Charles, pointing with an air of triumph
to the dead brute.

" Ishmail's tulwar! — Why, you little bantam-cock,
you don't pretend to say that you killed the Bear ! "

" And why not ? " replied Charles, coolly wiping the
bloody sword, and returning it to Ishmail.

" The de\-il you did ! but how did you manage it ? —
and what was ^Mansfield about with his spear ? It was
wont to be a deadly one."

" It played me false this time, however." And Mans-
field proceeded to relate the particulars of the adventure.
In the mean time the Doctor was stooping over the
dead Bear, and examining the tremendous muscular
development of his limbs with great interest.

" Od, but it 's an awfu'-like beast," muttered he, half
soliloquizing. " Did any leevin ever see the like o' thae
fore-paws — they 're as grit as my waist, and fit to squeeze
the life out o' a bull, let alone a Christian — and to think
o' that bit slip o"" a Laddy fechtin him wi' a sword ! Od,

48 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

it 's just past belief — It minds me o' the story o' Dauvid
and Goly-o'-Gath."

The rest of the party having duly admired the size of
the Bear, the length of his claws, and the richness of his
fur, there was nothing further to be said on the subject ;
so "boot and saddle"" was the word. A spare pony was
provided for Mansfield, — poor Bundoolah being too se-
verely wounded to be fit for work — and in five minutes
they were all cantering homewards.

Night had closed in, before they reached the Canton-
ment ; and the chill mountain-breeze whistled bleak and
cheerless through the woods. But a good dinner and a
bright fire awaited them — and one there was who fondly
hoped that the smile of beauty would greet his return ;
so with light hearts they pushed merrily forward,
smoking their cigars, and talking over the adventures of
the day.

We remarked, that evening, that Master Charles
succeeded in getting up a very comfortable fiirtation
with the blooming Kate ; and from the sunny smile
which danced in her deep blue eye, and played around
her pretty mouth, as she listened to his half-whispered
conversation, we felt satisfied that the flaming account
of his exploits, given by Mansfield at dinner, had not
been lost upon her.

Charles retired to rest with his head and heart brim-
ful of love ; and that night his pillow was beset by
fleeting visions of blue eyes and Bear-skins, Tigers,
turtle-doves, and true-love-knots.

CHAPTER IV.
A TIGER HUNT ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS.

"What the devil brings you here T' exclaimed old
Lorimer, as Ishmail, armed to the teeth, advanced to
hold the stirrup whilst he mounted his horse ; " I thought
Dr. Mc.Phee had ordered you to keep your bed."

" He did so. Sahib ; but I could not rest. There is
blood between that Tiger and me, and my wounds will
not heal till I have been revenged on him. With the
permission of Your Highness, I must have a hand in his
death."

" Well, well, so be it, you blood-thirsty old savage,
and much good may it do you. But is all prepared ? —
have plenty of fireworks been sent to the ground I — and
has the ravine been watched during the night?"

" The slaves of Your Highness never sleep. Sahib.
Our best scouts have been on the watch ever since sunset
yesterday ; a mouse could not pass them unobserved ;
and I myself have seen that there are plenty of fireworks
prepared. By the Holy Prophet ! it shall not be for
want of fire if he beats us this time."

" Good ! — Then mount and follow us."

The sun was just peeping over the hill-tops as our
party came in sight of the ravine, where they had left
the Tiger the evening before. Under the shelter of a

50 THK OLD FOREST RANGER.

large tree, a group of natives, who had been reheved
from their cheerless watch, sat enveloped in their dark
cumhleys, couching round the embers of a wood fire, and
shivering with cold, as they handed from one to another
the sociable kallioon, the never-failing comfort, and
almost only luxury of the temperate Hindoo.

" These poor fellows have had a cold night's work,"
remarked old Lorimer, as the natives arose to salute
him; "but never mind, we shall soon find employment
for them, that will warm their blood, else I 'm mistaken.
Here, Ayapah, what news of the Tiger? Have you
marked him in?"

'■'■Ho, Sahib," replied Ayapah, bringing the palms of
his hands together, and raising them to his forehead, as
in the attitude of prayer. " The Tiger awaits Your
Highness''s pleasure."

" Where is he ? In this ravine ?"

"No, Sahib. He killed a bullock last night, and is
now lying in a small ravine close to the Todah Mund"

" All the better ; we shall have less trouble in driving
him out. Ayapah, show us the way."

Ayapah shook the dew from his cumbley, drew his
cumberbund more tightly round his loins, tlu-ust a long
hunting-knife into his belt, and, grasping his matchlock,
led the way down a rocky path which crossed the large
ravine, in the direction of the Todah Mund.

" Are not these a fine race of men?" remarked ]\Ians-
field, as they approached the village, pointing to a group
of Todahs who were lounging about with the bold careless
air of independent mountaineers.

" How different is their manner from that of the effe-

A TIGER HUNT OX THE NEILGHERRY HILLS, 51

minate Hindoos. You see they are perfectly respectful,
and salute us with a gentle inclination of the head ; but
there is nothing cringing or timid in their mode of doing
so. They are too dignified even to evince curiosity,
which they consider womanish, and appear to be almost
unconscious of our presence. Look at that fine venerable
old patriarch leaning against his hut, which appears
hardly large enough to contain him ; his high and strongly
marked features bear the native stamp of dignity, whilst
his finely formed head, covered with a profusion of short
curling hair, and the lower part of his face almost con-
cealed by his enormous whiskers and long flowing beard,
might serve as models for a bust of Hercules."

"They are indeed a noble race of people," replied
Charles, "and not only their appearance, but their dress
is perfectly classical. That single web of coarse cloth,
thrown around them in graceful folds, is exactly the
Roman toga."

"And here comes a Roman matron," added Mansfield,
pointing to a very handsome Todah woman, who ap-
proached them, followed by a laughing group of naked
children. She was dressed in a web of cloth, similar to
that worn by the men, but arranged so as to conceal
more of the person. Her complexion was not much
darker than that of an Italian, and her skin so transpa-
rent that the blue veins could be distinctly traced under
it. Her long silky hair, the arrangement of which had
evidently cost her some little trouble, hung in flowing
ringlets over her shoulders, and her only ornaments were
some heavy bracelets formed of brass. Her easy, natural,
yet graceful carriage was that of a true child of nature ;

e2

52 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

ignorant of crime, and happy in her ignorance; whilst
her clear hazel eye, beaming with confidence and innocent
simplicity, formed a striking contrast to the dark rolling
voluptuous orbs of the more coy beauties of the plain.
She displayed none of the haughty reserve so remarkable
in the men ; but coming up to the party, with a smiling
air, began, like a true daughter of Eve, to talk with great
energy, laughing and gesticulating all the time, and
appearing perfectly satisfied with herself; although it
was evident, from the manner of her hearers, that they
did not understand a single word she said.

" Who would have supposed that this pretty young
creature is the wife of ten or a dozen husbands?" re-
marked Mansfield.

" The wife of a dozen husbands ! " exclaimed Charles
in astonishment. " Why, JSIansfield, you are laughing
at me. A plurality of wives is bad enough, but who ever
heard of a plurality of husbands ? The thing is impos-
sible."

"Both possible and true," replied Mansfield, "all these
men, whom you see lounging about, are her husbands.
The law of the Todahs allows but one wife to the inhabit-
ants of each village, and, till within the last few years, a
still more barbarous custom existed amongst them, that
of destroying all the female children, except one, which
was reared to supply the place of the mother. I am
happy to say, however, that Government have succeeded
in putting a stop to this horrible system of infanticide.
You may remark that there are now as many female as
male children, and as these grow up, the plui*ality of
husbands will no doubt gradually fall into disuse."

A TJGER HUNT 0\ THE NEILGHEURY HILLS. o3

■•' Now, then, lads," exclaimed old Lorimer, bustling
up with his heavy rifle across his shoulder, " let 's to work,
and see who'll win the Tiger-skin. Bones of my ances-
tors ! boys, I never saw^ so pretty a place to kill a Tiger,
in all my life : but come and see — I think I have arranged
it so that he can hardly slip through our fingers."

The place, into which the Tiger had been marked, was
a small ravine at the back of the village ; the tangled
brushwood, which grew out of the sides, meeting over it,
in the form of an arch, so as to exclude the rays of the
sun even at mid-day. A few large trees grew along the
banks, perched upon ^Yhich the sportsmen might defy the
rage of their formidable enemy ; and the gi'ound, for
several hundi'ed yards on each side, was open, and free
from brushwood, so that the Tiger could not possibly
break cover without exposing himself to a murderous
fire.

" Now, then, gentlemen, we have no time to lose,"
cried Lorimer, " you must each climb into one of these
trees : Ishmail and his gang will scour the ravine with
rockets, and the moment the Tiger is afoot you will be
good enough to give the alarm, that the beaters may
fall back to the shelter of the village. As to you, Father
Long-legs," addressing the Doctor, " I beg that you will
keep your eyes open, and try for once to shoot like a
gentleman. By the beard of the Prophet ! if you allow
the Tiger to pass you, as you did the deer yesterday, I
shall be tempted to send you a messenger from old ' Kill-
devil,' that will make you jump off* yom* perch like an
electrified frog."

" Hoot toot ! Maister Lorimer, but you Ve awfu' raised

54 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

like this momin"'," replied the Doctor, grinning like an
ogre ! "I'm thinkin ye 'r turnin daft on our hands a'
thegether. To speak o' knockin a dacent man aff the
top o' a tree like a hoody-craw ! — Shootin an M. D. wi'
as little ceremony as if he were a muckle black ape ! —
O'd Sir, you 'r no canny — you 'r waur than the Tigre
himsell — 1 11 just speel up, and be out o' your reach,
afore the deevle gets the upper hand o"* you."

So saying, the Doctor sprang to the nearest tree, into
which he climbed with wonderful agility ; and having
perched himself, astride, on a comfortable branch, sat
dangling his long legs, and grinning defiance like an
overgrown baboon. The rest of the party followed his
example, and were soon perched on the various trees
which skirted the ravine. Old Lorimer alone remained
on foot, being too unwieldy to attempt such feats of
agility.

" What do you intend to do. Sir V inquired Mansfield,
hailing him from a tree ; " you are not going to remain
on foot, are you ? ""

" Not exactly on foot," replied Lorimer, " I intend to
sit on that bush ; " pointing to one, on a little rising
ground about two hundred yards from the ravine. " I
shall look on, and if you all miss the Tiger, I shall be
ready to wipe your eye — so mind your hits."

" You don't mean to say you will trust yourself on
that bush ! " exclaimed Mansfield in astonishment.
" Why, it is not three feet from the ground — and if the
Tiger charges, you are perfectly at his mercy."

" It is not exactly the most desirable seat in the
world," replied the Old Gentleman, laughing ; " but it is

A TIGER HUNT ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. DO

better than nothing. The Tiger is less likely to charge
me there, than if I were on foot. And supposing he does
come at me, I must just trust to Providence and old
' Kill-devil,' as I have often done before. Here, Ishmail,
throw a cumhley over it, to keep out the thorns, and
help me to get up. So, so ! — that 's very comfortable —
now then, my rifle, and then to work. Don't spare the
rockets — singe his whiskers for hmi, the blackguard."

Ishmail grinned a fiendish smile as he moved off to
obey his orders.

The bush which Lorimer had selected for his seat was
one of those thorny shrubs which, growing in round
isolated masses, become so densely matted and inter-
woven together as to afford an excellent seat, and,
when covered by a thick blanket, to defend one from
the thorns, is almost as comfortable as an air cushion.
On the top of this sat old Lorimer, much to the amuse-
ment of liis young companions, with his legs crossed
under him, and his rifle resting on his knees, looking
perfectly happy, and very much like the figure of a
Chinese Mandarin on a mantel-piece.

Whizz ! — crack ! — away goes a rocket darting through
the tangled brushwood in a zigzag course, like a fiery
serpent.

It is answered by a tremendous roar which makes the
earth tremble.

Hurra! a whole volley of rockets sweep the ravine,
like a storm of fire. Now then he must show himself —
nothing but a salamander can stand this. Every rifle is
cocked, and cveiy eye strained to catch a glimpse of the
skulking savage.

56 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" Look out! he is afoot!" shouted Mansfield, as a
low growl and a rustling in the bottom of the ravine
announced that the Tiger was at hand. " Be ready for
a start, Ishmail, and see that all the beaters make a
dash for the village the moment he shows himself."

Again all was hushed in breathless silence, but no
Tiger appeared.

" Confound the skulking brute!" roared old Lorimer,
hotching about on the top of his bush in an agony of
impatience. " Blaze away, Ishmail, give him more fire,
man ; blow the cowardly beast to the devil ! "

Again a shower of rockets swept the ravine from end
to end. Again the beaters rent the air with their
shouts, but still no Tiger. Ishmail actually foamed with
rage, and Mansfield, unable longer to curb his im-
patience, sprang from the tree.

" I see how it is," cried he, snorting like a war-
horse. " He has got into a cave again, as these rascally
hill Tigers always do, when they can. But though it be
deep as Hell and dark as Erebus, I '11 have him out.
Here, my hearties, lend a hand to cut away some of
these bushes, that we may see what we are about."

The bushes having been partly cleared away, so as to
admit sufficient daylight, Mansfield cautiously descended
into the ravine, closely followed by the trusty Ishmail.
After a short search they discovered a small rocky cave
in the bank of the ravine, the entrance to which was
about four feet from the ground.

" He must have taken shelter here," remarked Mans-
field ; " and if so, it strikes me I shall be able to manage
him. The entrance to the cave being so high above tlie

A TIGER HUNT OX THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. o7

ground, I can peep in without showing anything but my
head ; and if I can only catch the glare of his eyes, I
think I can plant a ball between them before he has
time to make up his mind for a charge."

" It is a dangerous experiment," replied Ishmail,
shaking his head, "but your fortune is great, Sahib;
the Tigers tremble at your presence ; we shall try it.*"

" Not both of us, Ishmail, you can be of no senice to
me here ; I must attempt it alone. But do you go and
withdraw the beaters to a safe distance, and tell the
gentlemen to be ready to pour in a volley in case he
should charge."

Ishmael felt much inclined to grumble at this arrange-
ment, which prevented his sharing in the adventure.
But he well knew that Mansfield's orders were not to
be disputed, and accordingly withdrew, muttering
prayers, and invoking the aid of the Prophet in his
behalf.

Mansfield having removed the caps from his rifle, to
ascertain that the powder was well up in the tubes, re-
placed them with fresh ones, so as to prevent the possi-
bility of his weapon missing fire. He then crept quietly
along till he was right under the cave, and raising his
head, peeped cautiously into the gloomy recess. At
first all was impenetrable darkness ; but as his eye be-
came gradually accustomed to the subdued light, he
perceived two bright green orbs glaring upon him, from
the inmost recess of the cavern.

" Now then for a steady hand," thought Mansfield, as
lie slowly raised himself so as to bring his rifle to bear.
A low surly growl announced that the Tiger was on

"58 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

the alert, and a certain impatient switching of the tail,
which invariably precedes a charge, did not escape the
practised ear of Mansfield.

Full well he knew there was no time to be lost^
Quickly but steadily the heavy rifle was raised to his
shoulder, his finger was on the trigger — another instant
would have sent a two-ounce ball crashing through the
Tiger's skull, when a terrific roar burst from the cave —
a huge mass of yellow fur shot over his head, as if pro-
jected from some powerful engine — the rifle exploded in
the air, and our hero found himself sprawling on his
back in the bottom of the ravine, and, strange to say,
unhurt.

With one bound, the Tiger gained the top of the
opposite bank, and bursting through the tangled brush-
wood, started across the open ground at racing speed.
A shower of balls saluted him as he made his appear-
ance, but not a single shot took effect.

The only chance now remained with old Lorimer, and
every eye was fixed upon him as " Kill-devil" was slowly
raised, and the sight brought to bear upon the Tiger.

" Noo then," exclaimed the Doctor, twisting his fea-
tures into the most extraordinary contortions, and ^vrig-
gling about on his perch in a perfect ecstasy of excite-
ment. " Noo then, Maister Lorimer, noo. Sir, for the
love o' goodness baud straight. Od's my life, if you miss
him noo, we ""11 never see mair of him. O ! man, tak a
goodvizzy; O! Sir. — Hurra! — he's deed — he ""s deed," —
shouted the doctor, almost screaming with delight, as
'■'■Kill-devil" poured forth its deadly contents, and the
wounded Tiger, uttering a shrill roar, bounded high into

A TIGER HUNT ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. 59

the air. But this triumphant shout was changed to a
groan of horror, as the enraged brute turned from his
course, and dashed with terrific bounds towards the bush
on which Lorimer was seated.

Again his rifle was raised with the coolness of despair
— again the report was answered by a short angry roar,
announcing that the ball had taken effect, but the Tiger
only dashed forward with increased speed. Nothing now
can save him — every rifle has been discharged — three
bounds more, and poor old Lorimer is a mangled corse.
The Tiger has gathered himself together for the last
spring — Charles can bear it no longer, but burying his
face in his hands, groans aloud. Ha ! he 's do^\^l — it 's
all over — No ! — hark to that shot — 't is Mansfield's rifle
— the ragged bullet whistles through the air, and the
Tiger, rearing up to his full height, falls back gasping
in the last agonies.

A simultaneous shout of triumph burst from the as-
sembled multitude as Mansfield stepped from the ravine,
and dropping the butt-end of his rifle to the ground,
drew a long breath like one who has just had a heavy
load of anxiety removed from his mind.

" My blessing on you, for a trusty companion," mur-
mured he, regarding his favourite weapon with a look of
affection, as if it had been a living creature — " You have
stood my friend in many a hard pinch, but never before
did you put forth your beauties in so good a cause.
Tliere was life and death on that shot — I had but one
barrel left, and had I failed — it makes rae shudder to
think what that poor old man would now have been."

The moment it was ascertained that the Tiger was

60 THE OLD rOllIiST RANGER.

fairly unable to rise, the beaters and villagers rushed
down in a body to glut their eyes with the dying strug-
gles of their vanquished foe, and many were the curses
and maledictions showered upon the expiring tyrant, as
he lay, terrible even in death, still glaring fiercely on his
tormentors, and making feeble attempts to growl, whilst
the frothy blood bubbled in his throat, and choked his
dying sobs.

"God bless you, my boy!"" exclaimed old Lorimer,
grasping Mansfield's hand in both of his, and squeezing
it hard ; whilst the tear of gratitude dimmed his eyes.
" I have not words to thank you as I could wish, but I
feel it — I feel it in the bottom of my heart, and my poor
dear motherless child will bless you, and pray for you,
whilst she lives, for having saved her old father from a
cruel death."

Mansfield blushed like a bashful maiden at hearing the
praises which were lavished upon him on all sides, and
turned away to hide his confusion, whilst he busied him-
self, with more than usual care, in reloading his rifle.

" Poo ! poo ! nonsense," cried he at last ; "what a fuss
you all make about knocking over a Tiger. Why it was
not much of a shot, after all, although it happened to
be put in at a lucky moment; any one of you might
have done the same had your rifles been loaded."

" I 'm no' just so sure o' that,'" remarked the Doctor,
with a pawky leer ; " there are some of us no"" just that
good at the lang ranges, and yon was a deevle of a lang
range. But be the shot good, or be it bad, it saved the
life o' the best friend I hae on earth, although he did
threaten, no' half an hour ago, to ding me aff the tree

A TIGER HUNT ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. Gl

like a pyat ; and for that same I shall hae a respect for
you, and your rifle gun, and your lang ranges, till my
deein day — so gie 's your hand, my trusty friend, and my
blessing go wi' you."

In the mean time Ishmail, who had dispatched the
Tiger by firing a matchlock into his head, was busily
employed, with a lighted match, in singeing off his
whiskers.

" How do you like that, you sulky-looking old hant-
choatV muttered Ishmail, as he squatted in front of the
dead Tiger, singeing away with great industry. " You
little thought, half an hour ago, that you should have
me for a barber ; but I 've got you by the beard now,
and the devil a bristle shall I leave on your ugly snout.
No, no, I had trouble enough with you when alive, and
have no fancy to be haunted by your ghost now that
you are dead."

Ishmail having finished the singeing operation to his
entire satisfaction, the dead Tiger was placed upon a
cart dra\\Ti by four bullocks, and driven off towards the
Cantonment, followed by a crowd of natives, blowing
horns, beating drums, and shouting forth the praises
of the victor.

CHAPTER V.

DEER-STALKING, AND IBEX SHOOTING,
ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS.

How much of romance, and old tradition, is associated
with the very word, " Deer ! "

Does it not, Gentle Reader, conjure up before thee
many a legend of the olden time — many a scene of
ancient Chivalry? — The Douglas and the Percy? — The
bloody field of Chevy Chase ? — The ancient Forests of
our Kings? — Robin Hood and his merry-men? — Shak-
speare, and the mad pranks of his youth ?

We can hardly fancy the most phlegmatic Alderman,
gazing on a fat haunch, without thinking of honest Jack
FalstafF, and Windsor Forest ; and remembering that,
in all ages, the Deer has been the theme of Poets' song
— the game of Kings.

As such, we have a regard for " the bonny dun Deer"
above all other animals of the chase. We look upon
him as a noble animal of ancient family. And we never
behold him wandering over his wild Domains, with the
lofty bearing of a Feudal Baron, that a certain feeling of
respect does not creep over us.

There are many Indian field sports, in which we have
played our part, of a grander and more exciting nature
than that of Deer-stalking ; but there are none to which

DEER-STALKIXG OX THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. 63

we look back with greater pleasure. We have certain
romantic ideas connected with this sport, which we do
not associate with any other, and which we can only
trace to the sublime nature of the scenery amidst which
it has been enjoyed, coupled with the silent, solitary,
character of the sport itself ; — for we have ever agreed
in thinking, with the quaint old Author of " The Trea-
tyse of Fyshynge wyth an Angle,'''' that, in Deer-stalking,
as in the " Gentle craft,^''

" Whanne ye purpoos to go on your dysportes, ye
shall not desyre gretly many persons loyth you."

Dearly did we love those solitary rambles among the
wild Hills ; nor did we ever miss, or seek for any society
but our o^^^l thoughts. And dearly do we now love to
look back to the happy days we have spent in " hunting
of the Deer," To remember how we have watched him,
with his Herd, feeding in some lone Glen ; — or looming
through the mist like a gray spectre ; — or cutting the
sky-line, like a sculptured image, on the pinnacle of a
mountain, where he keeps his watch, at break of day,
scanning the surrounding hills with jealous eye. We
love to remember how the Royal Hart hath led us many
a weary mile, in the exciting contest of Man's reason
against the unerring instinct of the Brute ; — our man-
oeuvres, foiled by the keen vision, and exquisite sense of
smell, which Nature has bestowed upon the Stag for his
protection, and which he uses with the skill of a con-
summate General ; — the wild scenes through which we
have followed the chase; far away from the haunts of
man ; where no sound is heard but the plash of the
distant waterfall, and the sighing of the wind through

64 THE OLD FOREST RAXGER.

the long rank grass ; — the pure air of the mountains
bracing the nerves, and setting fatigue at defiance.

Mile after mile have we thus passed over in the heart-
stirring pursuit, — hour after hour has thus flown by,
equally unheeded, — till the shades of night have closed
around us, and the wailing cry of the Jackall has warned
us to retrace our weary steps over the moonlit hills.

So great an enthusiast are we in the art of Deer-
stalking, that we look upon it as the poetry of hunting.
It is a pursuit which calls forth all the energies of the
Hunter's mind as well as of his body. It is a campaign
in miniature. It is a study for a General. And it is
a sport which, if followed in a proper spirit, with due
moderation, and by a person of tolerably cultivated
tastes, ought to make the solitary Deer-stalker, not only
a wiser but a better man.

We have never gazed upon the glorious works of Nature
with such profound feelings of reverence, and gratitude
towards the Beneficent Creator of all things, as, when
sitting alone on a wild hill side, in the warm twilight of
a tropical evening, surrounded by all that is grand and
beautiful in mountain scenery, we have watched the wary
Deer feeding securely in the green valley below ; and, by
means of that wonderful instinct which their merciful
Creator has bestowed upon them, defying the utmost
skill of Man to approach them. We have never sat
down to a sumptuously covered table, with half the
feeling of gratitude towards Him who gives us our daily
bread, that we have, in our solitary tent, to a frugal
supper of broiled venison, earned with the sweat of our
brow. And never have we retired to rest in a happier

PEEK-STAI.KIXG OX THE NEILGIIERRY HILL.S. 65

frame of mind, or enjoyed more balmy slumber, than after
the successful termination of a hard day's Deer-stalking.

It has often proved a subject of wonder to us, that
this sport of Deer-stalking, in spite of the many charms
which it possesses in our eyes, finds so few followers
amongst the Sportsmen of India.

We have known hundreds of men who rode well to
Hog, who were undeniable rifle shots, who were good
Sportsmen in every respect, and who used to prove the
life and soul of our merry parties in the Jungle ; but,
amongst those, we could point out but few who had
poetry enough — or perhaps foolish romance enough — in
their composition, to appreciate the delights of the soli-
tary Deer-stalker's life.

Indeed amongst all our Sporting Friends — if we ex-
cept our Brother, who was, and still is, a perfect en-
thusiast— Mansfield was the only one who could fully
S}Tnpatliize with us, in our ardent love for this sport.
He was an enthusiastic admirer of Nature. He under-
stood the poetry of the thing. And much as he had
distinguished himself in the various manly field-sports
of India, — much as he enjoyed the society of his Brother
Sportsmen, — much as his society was courted by them, —
he never appeared so much in his element, as when fol-
lowing a shy old Stag, tlirough the solitary wilds of the
Neilgherry Hills — and no man knew better than he, how
to do so with success.

It was therefore w itli no small feeling of satisfaction,
that he availed himself of a quiet day, after the encounter
with the Tiger, to initiate his young Friend Charles into
the mysteries of his favourite pursuit.

66 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

The ground selected for this day's sport, was Cheny-
konoor ; a spot amongst the Ghats, on the edge of the
Hills, which, on account of the extreme difficulty of the
ground, and its remoteness from the Cantonment of
Ootacamund, was little known, and less frequented, by
any one except the staunch Deer-stalker Mansfield
himself.

It still wanted more than an hour of daylight, when
Charles, who, partly owing to the cold — for this was the
first night he had passed under canvass on the Hills —
and partly from over-anxiety, had enjoyed but broken
slumbers, started from his hard camp bed, and roused
Mansfield out of a sound sleep.

The full moon had, for the last hour, been shining on
the young Sportsman's face, and the bellowing voice of
the old Stags, calling from hill to hill, was a temptation
he could no longer resist.

Mansfield, delighted at the ardour of his Young Com-
panion, quickly obeyed the summons; — and having as-
certained that Charles was properly clothed in the sober
habiliments of a Deer-stalker — the two Sportsmen, fol-
lowed by Mansfield's favourite Peon Ayapah, proceeded,
over the moonlit hills, towards the edge of the Ghats.

Here, by rights, the Sportsmen ought to have sepa-
rated, each taking his own beat. But Charles being a
novice in the art, it was necessary, on this occasion, that
he and ^lansfield should keep together.

Daylight was beginning to appear, as they reached the
gi'ound, where Mansfield expected to find deer ; and the
occasional bellow of a Stag afforded welcome evidence
that his expectations would not be disappointed. But

DEEU-STALKING ON THE XEILGHKURY HII.I.S. 07

the hills were enveloped in so dense a mist, that no
object could be distinguished ; and the Sportsmen sat
down, in silence, to await its clearing off.

By slow degrees, the white curtain arose, gradually
unclothing a conical hill, in front, till all was bare, ex-
cept the rocky summit, on which the vapour hung like
a silver veil. And now, through the gray mist, on the
very pinnacle of the highest peak, loomed forth a
shadowy outline, like the dim ghost of a gigantic Deer.

Mansfield laid his hand gently upon the arm of his
Companion, and both crouched low upon the ground.

As the sun rose, behind the sleeping mountains, its
rays shot thi'ough the fog, dispersing it like magic, and
a flood of crimson light struck full upon a noble Stag.
From a mere shadow, he now stood forth in bold relief,
his stately form and wide spreading antlers showing so
vividly distinct against the sky-line, that distance was for-
gotten, and Charles could have sworn that the wild jealous
glance of his eye met his, as they watched each other.

After making a rapid survey of the surrounding ground,
Mansfield shook his head.

*' I fear, Charley my boy, he is too old a Soldier for
us. — He has taken up so commanding a position that
there is little chance of our getting near him ; but we
may try."

So saying ^Mansfield arose, for there was no means of
effectually concealing themselves, and began to saunter
off carelessly, in an opposite direction to where the Deer
stood, in hopes that, by so doing, they might be enabled
to make a wide detour, and approach him under cover
of the hill.

f2

68 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

The Stag did not attempt to leave his post ; but stood
watching their motions, turning as if on a pivot, so as
to keep his head always towards them, till a mass of rock
concealed them from his view, when he took the alarm ;
and, on again coming in sight of the conical hill, the
Sportsmen found its rocky summit untenanted.

" I thought so" — remarked Mansfield, looking some-
what disappointed, for the Stag had exhibited a pair of
antlers, such as even he had seldom had the good for-
tune to meet with — " But never mind ; there are plenty
more good heads where that one came from. We shall
have blood on the knife yet before night."

The fog had, by this time, rolled away from the Hills,
leaving a clear blue sky over head. But, some hundred
feet below the Spectators, as they stood upon the edge
of the Ghat, a level mass of white vapour extended to
the very horizon, from which the rays of the sun w'ere
reflected with intense brilliancy, as if the Hills had been
surrounded by an interminable desert of frozen snow.
Slowly, and imperceptibly, the dense mass of vapour
yielded to the increasing heat, till the features of the
plain below could be faintly traced, as if through a
curtain of thick gauze. Another moment, and the veil
was rent asunder ; — the thin sheet of cloud was broken
into detached masses, which condensed with the rapidity
of steam ; — and the glowing scenery of the Low-country,
its varied features dwindled into Lilliputian proportions,
and bathed in glowing sunshine, burst upon the sight,
like a bright vision of Fairy Land.

The effect was magical. — And so wrapped in admira-
tion was Charles, that Mansfield was obliged, more than

DEER-STALKIXG OX THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. 60

once, to repeat his warning whistle, before he became
aware that the keen Deer-stalker was already on the
top of a rising ground, at some distance, carefully
sweeping the horizon with his telescope.

" There " — said Mansfield, placing the glass in the
hands of his Companion, and pointing to a range of hills
about a mile off — " Take a look, and tell me what you
see."

Charles looked in the direction indicated, threw down
the glass, jumped to his feet, and began capering about,
in an ecstasy of delight.

" A whole herd of deer, by all that is beautiful ! —
Come Mansfield — come — let 's be at them at once !"

So saying, the eager young Sportsman snatched up
his rifle, and set off", at a trot, in the direction of the
Deer.

"Hark back! — Hark back!" — exclaimed Mansfield,
laughing — " Not so fast. Youngster. There are two or
tlucee things to be considered before we proceed any
farther. Pray can you tell me from what point the
wind blows, this fine fresh morning?"

" The wind !" replied Charles, looking a good deal
astonished, and glancing around, as if to make out the
points of the compass. " Why, I can hardly tell. I
should think it was somewhere about South-East. But
what has the wind got to do with it ? "

" The points of the compass, indeed, have not much
to do with it " — replied Mansfield, smiling. " But had
you followed the line you were taking, you would have
found, to your cost, that the direction of the wind, with
reference to the position of the Game, is a trifling cir-

70

THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

cumstance worth attending to, in Deer-stalking. Do
you not perceive that the wind blows directly from
where we stand, towards the Deer ? "

" To be sure I do. But what of that ?"

" Simply this ; that were we to attempt to approach
them from this side, with every advantage of ground in
our favour, we should see the whole herd toss up their
noses, and gallop off, before we were within a quarter of
a mile of them. The wonderfully acute sense of smell
possessed by the Deer, is the thing of all others to be
guarded against in stalking. We must get round them,
and a^jproach them, up the wind, even if it costs us a
day's march to accomplish our object."

The nature of the ground was favourable for stalking,
and Mansfield soon gained a position from whence the
Deer might be approached without alarming their keen
sense of smell. There still remained much difficulty in
approaching them unseen. But long experience had
given to Mansfield a correctness of eye, an almost in-
stinctive faculty of availing himself of the slightest in-
equality of ground, which few Deer-stalkers ever attain,
and, after surmounting innumerable difficulties, the
Sportsmen at length found themselves under cover of a
little hillock behind which the Deer were feeding.

Here the Sportsmen halted ; and Mansfield motioned
to Charles to remove the caps from his rifle, and replace
them by fresh ones, in case they might have become
damp in creeping through the long grass.

All being ready, Mansfield crawled, on hands and
knees, to the top of the hillock, and, lying flat upon the
ground, peeped cautiously into the little valley beyond.

DEER-STALKING OX THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. 7l

There were the Herd, still at feed, and well within
range. Mansfield could have picked off any one of
them. But nothing met his eye save long-eared, timid
looking Hinds, who might thank their stars they were
not overlooked by a Pot-hunter.

Mansfield was too good a Sportsman to shoot game,
merely for the sake of boasting, afterwards, that he
had killed a certain number in a certain time — as we
regret to say is too often the case among men who
aspire to that character — and made it a rule never to
kill a Hind except when Deer were scarce, and his
People in want of food.

Charles being a promising Pupil, and one in whose
sporting education he took a pride, Mansfield thought
this a good opportunity to impress upon the mind of
the young Sportsman, a useful lesson of coolness, for-
bearance and mercy ; and, although Charles, more than
once, attempted to raise his rifle — keeping his eyes all
the time riveted upon the Hinds, with a longing, loving,
look, such as a young Pointer casts upon a dead bird,
which, although close under his nose, he does not dare
to touch, — Mansfield was inexorable, and held him
do^^•n with a grasp, against which it was in vain to
contend.

The wily Deer-stalker knew well that where so many
Hinds were congregated, there must be a Stag at no
great distance, and therefore remained perfectly still,
allowing them to feed on quietly, whilst he watched their
graceful motions, and stored his mind with charac-
teristic attitudes to be introduced at some future period
in his drawings.

72 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

Presently the Hinds began to look about, and one of
them called.

Now he knew their Lord was coming — and a slight
motion of the hand made Charles aware of the fact.

The rifle was silently cocked, and next moment the
young Sportsman had brought his sight to bear upon
the bristling shoulder of a Royal Stag, as he slowly
emerged from a thicket of gigantic fern.

It was the identical Stag they had first seen, and
attempted, in vain, to stalk. Mansfield recognized his
noble head at a glance.

The ragged bullet sped hissing through the air, and
the Hinds startled by the report of the rifle scampered
off in wild confusion. The Stag made one sickly reel,
but immediately recovered himself, and followed them
with blood bubbling from a wound in the shoulder. —
Mansfield fired, right and left, and planted two balls in
his side before he was out of range, but without any
apparent effect upon the enormous brute, who rattled
down the Ghat, without a stagger, clattering over the
rocks like a cart-horse.

The difficulty now was how to proceed. A young
hand would naturally have followed the wounded Deer,
who, with three large balls through his body, could not
be expected to go far. But ISIansficld was well aware
of the extraordinary tenacity of life possessed by this
species of Deer, and also knew that, if followed, he
would pursue his downward course, as long as life re-
mained, and probably be lost in the heavy forest jungle
which encircles the base of the Hills. And yet, if
allowed to get out of sight, he ^^ould as probably be lost

DEER-STALKING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. l6

amongst the high fern and lemon-grass, or in one of the
deep ^YOoded ravines with which the country abounded.
Fortunately, however, the elevated position occupied by
the Hunters, gave them an advantage, of which no man
knew better than Mansfield, how to avail himself; and
by skilful manoeuvring he managed to creep from point
to point, keeping the wounded Deer in sight, without
frightening him, or di'iving him into the Low-country.

The Stag, finding he was not pursued, and never
having seen the Hunters from the first, soon stopped.

But he was in a very ticklish position, and Mansfield
felt that his utmost Generalship must now be called into
play — for if frightened, or missed, that noble Stag was
lost to him for ever. The animal was, by this time
more than half way down the Ghat with a clear run
below him into the heavy forest jungle — and a few hun-
dred yards beyond him was a dark and dangerous ravine,
for which he was evidently making, and from which, if
he once gained its sanctuary, there was little chance of
ever recovering him.

Desiring Charles and the Peon to remain perfectly
quiet, Mansfield, with a rifle in each hand, began to
creep down the steep descent, with the stealthy pace of
a Panther.

About a hundred and fifty yards from the spot where
the wounded Deer stood gazing stupidly around him,
there grew a small clump of stunted date trees, which
did not escape the practised eye of the Deer-stalker ; —
this was the point at which he aimed, and, by dint of
creeping on hands and knees, he at last succeeded in
getting behind it.

74 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Stopping for a moment to draw breath, Mansfield
brought his heavy two-ounce rifle to bear upon the
shaggy neck of the Stag, and fired. Down dropped his
noble head, and a stream of blood gushed from his
throat, but still he stood firm.

Now for the double rifle. One ball crashed through
his ribs, another plunged into his shoulder, — He only
winced, and before Mansfield could reload he was off,
making for the deep ravine before alluded to. But his
gallant heart was sinking. — His strength failed him
before he reached the stronghold. — He halted, and stood
tottering beneath the shade of a tree.

The Stag was now so close to the ravine that Mans-
field did not dare to venture on a long shot, at three hun-
dred yards, for fear of missing him, and the nature of the
ground would not admit of his approaching any nearer.

For a full hour, by his watch, Mansfield kept sentry
over his quarry, expecting every moment to see him
drop. His heart smote him as he marked the laborious
breathing of the poor animal. — He felt disgusted with
himself — as every one must have felt who has been
forced to have recourse to such a scene of butchery in
securing his game — and almost wished that the first
shot had never been fired, — But it was now too late to
retract. The death of the poor animal was inevitable,
and the sooner he was put out of pain the better.

Once the Stag lay down, and then Mansfield fancied
all was over — but he rose again, and having ascertained,
by the aid of his glass, that the animal was gaining
strength, rather than getting weaker, he determined
upon risking a long shot.

DEEU-STALKING ON THE NEILGHERRY HILLS. 75

The first ball fell short, — the second hit, bringmg the
animal on his knees. But the Stag immediately re-
gained his footing — made a rush, rather than a run —
and disappeared in the dark ravine, for which he had
been making from the first.

And this with seven balls through his body ! !

Now we are aware that what we have just narrated,
must appear to the Reader veiy like an Indian story,
and if he doubts our veracity we can hardly blame him.
We have only to say that every particular was noted
down on the spot, and that we have related them word
for word as they occurred.

Tired and dispirited, Mansfield abandoned the pursuit,
and retraced his weary steps towards the place where he
had left his Companions.

Ayapah, one of the most indefatigable Shikarees we
ever knew, now volunteered to undertake the forlorn
hope of retrieving the wounded Deer. A council of war
having been held on the subject, it was settled that he
should descend the Ghat by a rather dangerous path,
which would enable him to reach the bottom of the
ravine, taking a rifle with him to dispatch the Stag,
if he found him; whilst the two Sportsmen watched
above in case he should move.

Another anxious hour passed. At length the trusty
Ayapah was seen to reach the foot of the Ghat in
safety — he descended into the ravine, — and, next mo-
ment, a faint report announced that the death shot had
been administered.

As previously arranged, the two Sportsmen set off to
the nearest Burgher Milage to procure people to carry

76 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

home the Deer ; and by two o'clock the noblest pair of
antlers, which now gi-ace the walls of our Sanctum, were
hanging from the pole of Mansfield's tent — and a dozen
happy Villagers were trudging home, under a welcome
load of venison.

Ayapah reported that he had found the Stag dying,
under a rock, but that he got upon his legs, and made a
feeble attempt to charge, before he fell.

Verily, there is no more gallant brute in nature than
a Neilgherry Stag.

After partaking of some luncheon, the Sportsmen
again sallied forth.

As it was still too early in the day for Deer to be
again at feed — the only time there is much chance of
finding them, without hounds, in a country abounding
with such strong cover, — Mansfield took a new line,
proceeding to a wild precipitous part of the Ghats which
he knew to be frequented by a herd of that rare animal
the Ibex of the Neilgherries. — If the Reader be a
Naturalist he may perhaps find it worth while to glance
at the description of this animal given in our notes.

The heat had, by this time, become oppressive. The
wild animals had all retired, for shelter, to the dark
woods, and deep ravines. And, even with the aid of the
telescope, not a living thing could be seen, over the wide
extent of country, which the elevated position of the
Hunters enabled them to command.

They had already scrambled along the precipitous
face of the Ghats for several weary miles ; now following
a narrow deer-track ; now descending to avoid a bluff
headland of rock, or an impenetrable ravine ; and now

IDEX SnOOTIXG O.V THE XKH.GHERRY HILLS. 77

clmbing painfully up the dry bed of a mountain torrent,
filled with loose round stones, which rolled from under
the feet at every step, and went thundering down the
side of the mountain, rendering the ascent both difficult
and dangerous.

Charles, unaccustomed to such severe exercise, was
beginning to exhibit evident symptoms of fatigue, and
to moralize on the folly of risking one's precious neck
for the sake of an Ibex, when Mansfield suddenly
stopped ; and, lajnng his hand upon the arm of his Com-
panion, pointed, silently, towards a lofty crag, some
thousand feet above them, upon the pinnacle of which,
between them and the sky, stood a noble male Ibex, the
watchful sentinel of his herd.

The distance was so great, and the animal so perfectly
motionless, that Charles fancied they had not been ob-
served, and instinctively crouched behind the nearest
rock.

" It is too late to attempt concealment,*" — remarked
Mansfield. " There is no more vigilant sentry than an
old buck Ibex, and I '11 engage that fellow had his keen
eye upon us, long before we observed him. But, sharp
as he is, I think I can show you how to circumvent him,
provided you are a tolerable cragsman, and can stand
another hour's climbing.""

Charles, whose spirits had rallied at the sight of game,
declared himself ready for anything.

" Follow me then," — said Mansfield — " and look well
to your footing, for we have some dangerous ground to
pass over."

The great point, in approaching Ibex, is to get above

78 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

them. From below, it is impossible for the most skilful
Stalker to elude their vigilance ; but they rarely, or
never look above, to guard against danger. Mansfield
was well aware of this peculiarity, and knew that if he
could once get out of sight, without alarming the watch-
ful Sentinel, his knowledge of the ground would enable
him to reach a point above the game, from whence, with
a little care, and attention to the direction of the wind,
he could easily approach within shot.

Without attempting to conceal themselves, the two
Sportsmen moved off, directly away from the Ibex,
taking a course which enabled the watchful animal to
keep them in sight for nearly a mile ; when — having
ascertained, by means of his telescope, that the suspi-
cious Sentinel was lulled into fatal security — Mansfield
suddenly dived into the bed of a dry watercourse, and
began to ascend the steep face of the Ghat with all dili-
gence. It was a weary climb to the top, and, in many
parts, exceedingly dangerous. But excitement enabled
the Sportsmen to overcome difficulties, which, in cold
blood, would have been considered insurmountable, and,
after an hour of severe toil, they found themselves safely
landed on the top of the cliffs.

"Now!" — exclaimed Mansfield, throwing himself
upon the grass, and indulging in a low chuckle of satis-
faction, as he wiped away the big drops of perspiration
which fell from his forehead like rain — " I think we
have circumvented that old rogue, at last ; and, if he
has not left his post, I can bring you near enough to
distinguish his whiskers.""

Mansfield's correct eye enabled him, at a glance, to

IPEX SHOOTIXG ON THE NEILGIIERRY HILLS. 79

recognize that portion of the cHff, which he had marked,
from below, as overhanging the position of the Ibex ;
and, the direction of the wind being favourable, it was
reached without difficulty.

Lying flat upon the ground, the two Sportsmen now
crawled to the edge of the precipice, and, peeping cau-
tiously over, beheld a sight which amply repaid them for
all their toil. — Directly under them fifteen Ibex were
feeding amongst the ledges of rock, and, on the same
peak where they had first observed him, the shaggy old
Buck still kept his post, watchful as ever, but quite un-
conscious of the danger which threatened him from
above.

" Take him in the head" — whispered Mansfield —
" He is not above fifty yards ofi*."

Charles, resting his rifle on the edge of the cliff, took
a steady aim and fired. — The sentinel Buck, in the last
agony, sprung, with a convulsive bound, from his giddy
post, and do\Mi, dowTi, down, he shot, cleaving the air
like a bird, in his headlong descent, till he fell, a shat-
tered mass, among the pointed rocks, two thousand feet
below.

The remainder of the herd, startled by the shot, and
missing their leader, skipped about from ledge to ledge,
and from point to point, trying in vain to discover from
whence the danger proceeded. One sprung upon the
very rock from whence the unfortunate Sentinel had so
suddenly been dislodged, and actually stared Mansfield
in the face. He had hardly secured his footing, before
a two-ounce ball crashed through his head. But he too,
reeling from his lofty pedestal, took the awful leap, and.

80 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

after bounding from crag to crag, was lost, for ever, in
one of those wild chasms where the foot neither of man
nor beast has ever dared to tread. Quick as lightning,
the second barrel was discharged amongst the startled
herd, and a fine Buck fell dead without a struggle, at
the same moment that the nearest female dropped from
a narrow ledge, shot through the heart by Charles.

This fresh disaster appeared to open the eyes of the
bewildered animals. The Leader, looking upwards, ut-
tered his shrill note of alarm, and away rattled the wild
herd, taking their own narrow path — it looked a mere
line — along the dark face of the scarped precipice,
where it appeared hardly possible even for a bird to find
footing. Along this fearful road, the Ibex pursued their
course, at headlong speed, skipping, like winged crea-
tures, from crag to crag, till they had reached a place of
safety ; when forming in line, with an old hoary Patri-
arch at their head, they cast one wild glance at their
baffled pursuers, and moved off", at a more sober pace,
to some far distant haunt.

Ropes having been procured from the neighbouring
village, a Burgher was induced, by the promise of some
venison, to venture down the precipice, and the two
Ibex last shot were slung up, after some difficulty. The
others — as is too often the case in Ibex shooting — had
fallen far beyond the reach of man, and were reluctantly
abandoned to the Vultures.

Mansfield having congratulated Charles, on the good
success of his first attempt in the difficult and danger-
ous sport of Ibex shooting, and having refreshed him,
after his labours, with a mouthful of brandy and water,

DEER-STAI.KIXG OX THE XEIUiHERRY HILLS. 81

of which he stood in much need, the game was left in
charge of the Villagers, who agreed to carry it to the
tent, and the Sportsmen strolled towards home, by a
circuitous route, keeping a good look out for Deer as
they went along.

The sun was now getting low, and the wild cry of the
pea-fowl arose from the wooded valleys ; but no Deer
were yet visible. Soon, however, the distant bellowing
of a Stag was heard, echoing amongst the silent hills.
This was a sure sign that the Deer were moving out to
feed, and ^lan.sfield now proceeded with great circum-
spection, scanning the hills with his glass, and peeping
cautiously over every rising ground, before venturing
to show himself. Once or twice a Hind started from
amongst the long fern, almost at the feet of the Sports-
men. But, Charles having been previously cautioned by
Mansfield not to fire at anything but Stags, they were
allowed to go off" unharmed. At length, on turning the
abrupt shoulder of a hill, a crash was heard, proceeding
from a thicket below, and, next moment the head of a
fine Stag appeared, forcing his way through the tangled
brushwood, and tossing the branches aside with his
sweeping antlers. He was far out of range, so the two
Sportsmen crouched behind a rock, and watched his
proceedings in silence.

Having cast his jealous eye around, and apparently
satisfied himself that all was right, the majestic animal
began to graze, feeding up slowly towards the Hunters,
and lazily brushing off" the flies with his horns. Half an
hour had thus passed, and the Stag had approached
within about a hundred and eighty yards of Mansfield's

82 THE OLD FOB EST KANOER.

place of concealment, when he suddenly appeared to
scent danger on the wind, and threw up his head with
a wild snort. It was answered by the sharp report of
Mansfield's rifle, and the Stag drawing himself together
with a convulsive shudder, dropped apparently quite
dead. He was about to press the trigger of the second
barrel, when his Peon gave an alarm that Deer were
passing behind, and Mansfield ran round the hill to
intercept them ; but he was too late, and when he re-
turned the Stag was still lying in the same spot where
he had fallen.

Ten minutes having now elapsed since the first shot
had been fired, during which the Stag had never shown
any symptoms of life, Mansfield thought it needless to
make a target of his body ; but drawing his hunting
knife walked towards him.

Having to cross two deep ravines, before he reached
the Stag, Mansfield took the precaution, of leaving
Charles and the Peon, to watch in case, by any chance,
he should come to life again — and it was well he did so, —
for he had not got more than half way, when a shout
from the Peon, and the sharp report of a rifle, an-
nounced that the Stag was once more upon his legs.
Mansfield rushed forward and was just in time for a
snap shot, as the animal was disappearing, at a smart
gallop, over the ridge of a hill. Down he came again,
but rose in an instant and trotted off.

Leaving his discharged rifle, Mansfield gave chase,
armed with his long hunting knife, and soon came up
with the quarry, for he was sick and faint from the
effects of the last shot.

DKER-STALKING OX THE XEILGHERRY HILLS. 83

The wounded Stag, finding himself unable to escape,
turned, in despair, and stood at bay. His mouth was
besmeared ^\'ith foam, and his bloodshot eye rolled
savagely as he lowered his head for a charge. On he
came with mane erect. Mansfield, who watched his
motions with the eye of a hawk, stepped nimbly aside
to avoid the deadly stroke of his horn, and drove the
hunting knife, up to the hilt, in his chest. One vigorous
struggle separated them ; and away went the Stag, ac-
tually splashing the bushes with his blood, yet facing a
steep hill, at a pace which left Mansfield, dead beat,
far behind. But he could not go far. He reeled —
staggered — made one desperate effort, to reach a dark
ravine — and dropped dead upon the brink.

By the time this Deer was broken up, the sun had
already set, and the Sportsmen — after having tied a
handkerchief to his horns to prevent the wild dogs from
attacking the carcass during the night — made the best
of their way towards the tent.

Darkness succeeded sunset, with that rapidity pecu-
liar to a tropical climate, and the wailing notes of the
Jackall came sweeping by them on the night wind, be-
fore they had proceeded half a mile over the hills.

It was already so dark that objects could no longer be
distinguished at the distance of a hundred yards, and
Charles had just called the attention of Mansfield to the
beautiful effect of the full moon which was rising behind
a rocky hill before them, when suddenly, as if by magic,
the figure of a noble Stag which had hitherto been
shrouded in darkness, rose between them and the light,
and remained perfectly motionless, his graceful form

G 2

84 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

thrown out strongly against the red disk of the moon,
like a figure reflected by a magic lantern.

Mansfield slowly raised his rifle, the fine sight of
which, being opposed to the light, showed as clear as if
it had been noonday.

The sharp report was answered by a fiendish yell from
the startled Jackalls — and the form of the Stag disap-
peared as suddenly, as if it had, indeed, been only a
phantom. The ball had passed through his heart, — and
he died without a struggle.

The moon was now shining cold and bright, over the
wild Ghats. By her pale light the Hunters performed
the last offices to the departed, and, strapping his glo-
rious head upon Ayapah's back, they struck out over
the hills, and soon reached the welcome shelter of their
tent.

After enjoying a hearty supper of broiled venison, and
discussing the events of the day over a cup of hot coffee,
and a sociable cigar, the wearied Hunters retired to rest
with light hearts, and the pleasing reflection that the
produce of their day's sport had supplied a whole Burgher
Village with a week"'s supply of animal food, which to
these poor People is the greatest of all luxuries.

Gentle Reader, if you w^ish to enjoy Deer-stalking
in perfection, and without restraint, go to the Neil-
gherry Hills !

CHAPTER VI.
A RIDE IN THE GREAT WALIAR JUNGLE.

Old Lorimer being laid up with an attack of gout, and
Ishmail not yet sufficiently recovered from his wounds, to
enable him to resume his duties as Huntsman, Mans-
field had made arrangements ^^■ith Charles, and the
Doctor, for a few days' hunting in the Great Jungle,
which extends from the base of the Hills, towards the
Western Ghauts, and in which Bison, Deer, and wild
Elephants are found in abundance. — The tents, and camp
equipage had been sent on, two days in advance, in
charge of Mansfield's Peon Ayapah; and, on a fine
bright morning, our three Friends started, on horseback,
for their hunting ground.

As they rode slowly down the romantic pass which
leads from the Hills to the heavy forest jungle below,
their conversation naturally turned upon Mansfield's
late adventure with the Tiger.

" Od, man, but yon was a narrow escape ye had frae
the Tigre," remarked the Doctor ; " I canna' think hoo
he gae'd o'er you without gie'n you a skilp wi' ane o'
thae muckle paws o' his, for they 'r gae an' ready wi'
them by or dinar ! "

" Faith, Doctor, that 's more than I can tell you my-
self," replied Mansfield ; " all I recollect is hearing a

86 THE OLD TOREST HANGER.

roar, seeing some large object fly over my head, and
finding myself sprawling at the bottom of the ravine,
with one barrel of my rifle discharged. I must confess
it was a fool-hardy attempt on my part, and I have got
out of the scrape much better than I deserved. I re-
ceived a lesson in my early days, which ought to have
taught me prudence, and made me cautious of attacking
anything in the shape of a Tiger for the rest of my life."

" May I ask what that was ?" inquired Charles, who
now began to take a deep interest in Mansfield's anec-
dotes of jungle warfare.

" It is a melancholy story, and one which, even now,
I cannot think of without a feeling of remorse for my
folly. But I shall tell it you, as it may prove a good
lesson, and prevent your being guilty of any such rash
act, in the commencement of your jungle campaign. It
happened soon after my ai'rival in this country, when I
was yet a boy, and, like all Griffins, addicted to the
vice of pot-hunting, or, as your worthy uncle emphati-
cally terms it, thistle-whipping.

" One fine morning, I was following my usual avocation,
attended only by a Moorish Boy, who had charge of my
dogs, a fine game little fellow, about twelve years of age,
and a few cockers. The boy and his dogs beat the
bushes vigorously ; quail and partridge were plentiful ;
and in spite of my missing every second shot, my bag-
was beginning to fill rapidly. I fancied myself a very
Nimrod, and continued to load and fire with unwearied
industry and great delectation. In the midst of our
sport, a large Panther sprang from the bushes; and,
strange to say, took to flight, followed by my pack of

A RIDE IN THE GREAT WALIAR JUNGLE. 87

yelping curs, till they drove him into a cave, on the side
of a rocky hill, at no gi'eat distance. I had. never before
seen anything in the shape of a Tiger, and was struck
dumb with astonishment. Not so my little Moor Boy.
He was the son of a famous Shikaree, and although I
believe he had never seen a Tiger any more than my-
self, he had often heard his Father talk of his exploits
amongst the wild beasts of the forest ; he knew me to be
a Griffin, and his little heart swelled with the proud
consciousness of superior knowledge in woodcraft.

" ' Suppose Master please,"' said he, drawing himself up,
and assuming an air of immense importance, ' I show
Sahib how to kill that Tiger. I know very well hurrah
shikar business.'

" In my simplicity I looked upon the daring little
imp, who talked thus confidently of killing a Panther,
with a degree of respect almost amounting to awe ; and,
^^ ithout hesitation, put myself imder his guidance.

"According to his directions, I extracted the shot
from my gun, and reloaded it with some bullets, which
I happened to have in my pocket.

" ' Now then,' exclaimed my young Shikaree, as he
placed me behind the shelter of a large stone, directly
in front of the cave ! ' now then, I show Sahib how to
make Tiger come. Sahib make Tiger eat plenty balls ;
that proper shikar business.' So saying, he marched
directly up to the entrance of the cave, and began to
pelt the Tiger with stones, abusing him, at the same
time, in choice Hindoostanee slang.

" Sure enough this did make ' Tiger come' with a ven-
geance. The enraged brute, uttering a shrill roar,

88 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

darted from the cave, seized the poor boy by the back of
the neck, threw him over his shoukler, and dashed down
the hill like a thunderbolt. My blood curdled at the
sight ; but I instinctively fired, and, I suppose, hit the
beast, for he instantly dropped the boy, who rolled
into a dark ravine at the foot of the hill. The Panther
having disappeared in the neighbouring jungle, I de-
scended into the ravine, to look after poor little ' Kheder.'
There he lay, weltering in blood, dreadfully mangled,
and evidently in a dying state, but still quite sensible.
The gallant little fellow never uttered a complaint, but
fixing his large black eyes steadily on my countenance,
as if he could there read his fate, asked in a faint tone
of voice for some water. I was stooping down to collect
some in my hat, when I was startled by a surly growl
and the noise of some animal snuffing amongst the
brushwood, which closed over my head and almost ex-
cluded the light of day. It was the Panther, who had
returned. My first impulse was to fly, and leave the
boy to his fate. But poor ' Kheder,' seeing my inten-
tion, fixed his glassy eyes upon me with an imploring
look which cut me to the heart, and made me blush for
very shame. Kneeling by his side, I raised his head,
wiped the bloody froth from his parched lips, and poured
a few drops of water do^vn his throat. This appeared
to revive him.

" ' You have not killed the Tiger, Sahib,'' said he,
speaking in Hindoostanee : ' I am sorry *for that. I
should like to have sent his skin to my father. But
you will tell him, Sahib, that I died like a Shikaree. I
was not afraid of the Tiger : I never cried out when I

A RIDE IN THE LlllEAT WALIAR JL'XGLE. 80

felt his teeth crunching through my bones. No ! I
stuck my knife in him twice. See ! that is Tiger's
blood !' and his glazing eye flashed wildly for a moment,
as he held up a bloody knife, which he clutched firmly
in his right hand. ' My Father will be proud to hear
this. But my poor Mother will cry much, and her
heart will tm-n to water, when she hears that I am
dead.'

" And here, for the first time, the hot tears began to
trickle down his cheeks. For a few minutes he remained
motionless, with his eyes closed, and the big drops
stealing, slowly and silently, through the long silken
eyelashes. But, suddenly starting up, with his eyes
bursting from their sockets, and gasping painfully for
breath, he screamed, as if in a fit of delirium,

" ' The Tiger has seized me again ! — save me, Sahib,
save me ! ' cried he, in a hoarse voice ; I feel his teeth in
my throat! my breath is stopped ! — ah ! — ah !' he gasped
like a person drowTiing, his eyes turned in his head till
nothing but the white was visible — his jaws became
firmly locked — a cold shudder ran through his limbs —
and the gallant little ' Kheder' fell back in my arms, a
stift'ened corpse.

" I was young then, and unused to witness death ; and
that scene has made an impression on my mind which
will never be obliterated.

All this time the Panther continued to pace up and
down the edge of the ravine, nearly on a level with my
head, growling fearfully, and, ever and anon, poking his
snout into the bushes, and snuffing at mo, as if debating
with himself whether or not he should jump down. The

90 THE OLD FOIIEST RANGER.

bushes were so thick that he could not distinguish me
through them, and it is to this circumstance that I at-
tribute my escape. For a full hour, I remained in this
dreadful state of suspense ; and, during that fearful
hour, many were the good resolves I made against Tiger-
hunting. But, like many other good resolves, they
were only made to be broken on the first tempting
opportunity. The Panther, at last, as if tired of keep-
ing watch, walked quietly off; and I escaped to tell the
tale, which I trust will prove a warning to you, Master
Charles, and to all other Griffins who may chance to
hear it."

" Eh ! Captain Mansfield, but that 's an awfu' affectin'
story," exclaimed the Doctor, inhaling an enormous
pinch of snuff"; " the death o' that puir bit Laddy gar't
the tears come into my een, and amaist set me greetin'.
I wonder, Sir, it hasna' had some effect in makin' you a
wee thing mair wiselike. But I 'm thinkin' you 're waur
than ever. Od, man, it 's just frightsome to see the
way your een glance, when ony thing comes across you,
to set your birse up. By your leave. Sir, you 're just a
perfect maniac for the time being. As true as death it
gar't me grue to see the wild demented look ye had, yon
day, when ye gaed into the glen after the Tigre. What
will you do. Sir, when ye gang hame, wliare ye 11 hae nae
Tigres nor Wild Soos to hunt I Think o' that, Sir ! Od,
ye '11 no be chancy ! I expect to hear o' your ridin' aboot
the country wi' a pot-lid on your head, like Don Quixote,
spearin' the puir folks' swine, wi' the cook's spit ; or
maybe creepin' up ahint a dike, and takin' a shot at a
brindled stirk, amang the bushes, in mistake for a Tigre.

A RIDE IN THE UREAT WALIAR JUNGLE. 91

And, 1100 that I think o't, 1 'm no just sure that you'll
be able to remain in the Airmy. Na, Sir, you eanna
do 't. You '11 need to sell oot — and you'd better do't
afore ye get amang your freens and expose yoursel'. Ye
ken, Sir, when ye gang hame, the grenadiers '11 get
back the bearskin caps; and the smell o' the bear's
fur, on a hot day, '11 raise your corruption, and set you
demented. Ye '11 begin fii'st to snuff and snort, the way
you did the day, when the Tigre wadna come out. And
then you '11 cry out to the Commandin Offisher, ' Look
out. Sir! look out! — the bear's afoot — I smell him!'
And then — and then — hoot, fie. Sir, it '11 never do ; you
maunna gang hame, on nae account ; you maun get an
exchange, without loss of time. If ance ye gang to
England, they '11 hae you in a straight jacket, wi' your
head shaved, and spinnin' about in a big creel, hung frae
the tap o"* the room, for a' the world like a rattan in a
wire cage, afore you 're twenty-four hours on shore."

" You be hanged ! " cried Mansfield, imable longer to
keep his gravity, and bursting into a loud laugh.

The Doctor grinned mightily at his own conceit, ex-
hibiting a set of yellow teeth, which, barring the colour,
might have been envied by a wolf; and, following the
example of Mansfield and Charles, spm-red his horse
into a canter.

Our friends have, by this time, accomplished more
than half the descent ; and a remarkable change is
already perceptible, not only in the temperature of the
air, but in the scenery and in the natural productions.
The cloth di'css, which had been found necessary in the
bracmg climate of the Hills, now begins to feel oppres-

92 THK OLD FOREST UAXGKR.

sive to the wearer. The Rhododendron trees, wild jes-
samine, and high- waving fern, which have hitherto clothed
the sides of the hills, now give place to stunted bamboo
and dwarf Palmyra bushes ; whilst turtle doves, tookans,
paroquets, and other tropical birds, unknown on the
summit of the hills, begin to make their appearance.

As they continued to descend, the heat, and the
tropical character of the scenery, gradually increased,
till, at the foot of the pass, the road suddenly plunged
into the great forest jungle which encircles the hills ;
that wilderness of trees, where the stupendous Elephant
and the prowling Tiger have, for ages, held undisputed
sway.

Here, the tall feathery bamboo, the stately teak, and
other large trees peculiar to an Eastern climate, flourish
in all their glory. The glare of an Indian sun is sud-
denly quenched in the deep gloom of the forest. The
deathlike silence of the wilderness reigns around ; and
the confined air of the woods becomes close and suffo-
cating.

Under the shade of a large Banian tree, at the en-
trance of the forest, our party found a relay of fresh
horses, which had been sent on during the night.

The saddles were quickly transferred to their backs,
and, leaving their smoking steeds in charge of the Horse-
keepers, the three Sportsmen pushed along the rugged
path, which led into the forest, at a round pace.

"Come, iEsculapius," cried Mansfield, addressing the
Doctor, who was beginning to lag behind, and exhibited
strong symptoms of being somewhat saddle-sick, " that
old jade of yours will fall asleep under you, unless you

A RIDE TX TTIE GTIEAT WAMAK Jt^NOLE. 93

make better use of your heels. — Give him the spur,
man."

" Oich ? Hoich ! " grimted the Doctor, as he drove
the spurs into his long-legged, raw-boned Cutch horse,
and came shambling up to the rest of the party, at a
pace which very much resembled the action of a Drome-
dary, and must have been about equally pleasant to the
unfortunate rider — " Od, Captain, this is a deevle o' a
pace ye 'r gaun at — man nor beast is no fit to stand this,
at least, no' withouten leather breeks and tap-boots."

"0,110!" cried Mansfield, laughing, "is that your
complaint. Doctor I — sorry for you, my worthy Galen
— very sorry, indeed — nothing so unpleasant as feeling
the want of a pair of leathers in a long ride ; but
I much fear there is no help for it. We have still
twenty long miles before us, and unless we make play
now, we shall get benighted and lose our way, which in
this forest would be no joke. Give him his head, man,
and let him go."

" Weel, weel," sighed the Doctor ; " but just bide a
wee till I dight my face, and get a pinch out o"" my mull."
Here the Doctor pulled off his hat, and began to mop
his face with a snuff'y pocket handkerchief. " By your
leave, Gentlemen, I 'm just sweetin' like a bull, and my
poor beast is no muckle better."

" Hark forward ! " cried Mansfield, giving the reins to
his horse, after he had allowed the Doctor sufficient time
to enjoy a hearty pinch of snuff*. " Good night to you.
Doctor ; I suppose we shall hear of you in the course
of to-morrow, provided the Tigers or wild Elephants do
not make free with you during the night.''

94 THE OLD FOREST RANOER.

The Doctor, finding there was no help for it, took
heart of grace, and by dint of plying the spurs vigo-
rously, managed to make the old Dromedary keep up
wonderfully well, although not without many a grin, and
many an uneasy shifting of his seat.

As they penetrated deeper into the woods, the gloom
became more intense, and the deep silence of solitude
more imposing. It almost inspired them with a feeling
of awe. Not a bird, not even an insect, was heard. It
appeared as if no living thing had ever disturbed the
solitude of the primeval forest. And yet there were
occasional traces of life. The tall rank grass which
gi'ew up amongst the trees, to the height of ten or
twelve feet, was in many places trampled down by the
wandering herds of wild Elephants — several recent foot-
marks of Tigers might be traced along the sandy path —
and once or twice a jungle-dog was seen to glide across
the road, with the drooping tail and stealthy pace which
indicate the prowling savage.

Here and there an occasional opening in the tree-tops
varied the monotony of the scene, exhibiting a gorgeous
view of the Mountains. Their stupendous crags, hang-
ing woods, and sparkling waterfalls, backed by a sky of
deeper blue than even Italy can boast, formed a striking
contrast to the sombre gloom of the forest, and made the
panting travellers sigh for the fresh mountain breezes
which they had so lately left.

Mansfield and Charles had just pulled up for a mo-
ment to admire one of these beautiful glimpses, and to
allow the Doctor, who had again fallen behind, to come
up, when the former, casting his eyes upon the ground,

A RIDE I\ THE GREAT WALIAR JUNGLE. 95

discovered a huge snake, a Boa-constrictor about twenty
feet long, basking amongst the dry leaves by the side of
the path.

" Hurra, Doctor ! Hurra ! Screw him along. Here 's
a shot for you ; a piece of shikar quite in your line " —
and Mansfield hastily unslung his rifle, which he always
carried at his back ready loaded.

"What is 't, man? — what is't?" cried the Doctor,
coming up, quite out of breath.

" See there," replied Mansfield, pointing to the snake ;
" what do you think of that fellow, Doctor ? Would he
not be a fine addition to your museum ? "

" Od's my life, man, but that 's a grand beast," ex-
claimed the Doctor, jumping from his horse. " An in-
dubitable Boa, and longer by six feet than ony specimin
I ever met wi'. Gi' us the rifle, Captain, gi"" us the rifle,
till I shoot him — I wouldna"" lose that specimin for a
pund-note."

"Steady now, Doctor," said Mansfield, handing him
the rifle ; "let's see you take him in the head."

" Na, na ! we maunna injure the heed on no account ;
it would spoil him for a specimin," replied the Doctor,
firing right and left into the snake.

The balls passed through the body of the enormous
reptile without apparently doing him much injury ; he
merely gave a convulsive start, and glided rapidly into
the jungle.

" Hark to him, Doctor ! Go it, my sporting yEscu-
lapius I Never mind the thorns !" shouted Mansfield,
laughing till he nearly fell from his horse, as the worthy
Doctor, in the excitement of the moment, dashed

96 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

through brake and briar in hot pursuit of the wounded
snake.

Charles, who had never before seen a Boa, was quite
as anxious as the Doctor to secure the prize. Throwing
the reins of his horse to Mansfield, he sprang to the
ground, and joined in the chase, shouting aloud, and
brandishing a hog-spear which he happened to carry in
his hand.

In this manner they followed the snake for some dis-
tance, the Doctor pounding away with the butt-end of
the rifle, and Charles striving in vain to transfix him
with his spear. At length the snake reached the brink
of a dry watercourse filled with dense tangled brush-
wood, into which he glided. He was just about to dis-
appear, when the Doctor, inspired with a desperate fit
of courage, dashed forward, seized him by the tail, took
a turn of it round his arm, and throwing himself on his
back, with his feet firmly planted against a tree, held on
like grim death.

Luckily for the Doctor, the snake was too much dis-
gusted with the treatment he had already received, or
too intent upon making his escape, to think of turning
on his pursuers. But his struggles were tremendous.
He coiled himself round the trees, twisted himself into
knots, and strained every muscle in his body till they
seemed ready to burst through his skin. So great was
his strength, that it appeared, once or twice, as if the
tail must give way or the Doctor's arms be torn from
their sockets.

Whilst this struggle was going on, Charles was busily
employed in reloading the rifle.

A RIDE IX THE GREAT WALIAR JLXGLE. 97

" Haste you, man ! haste you ! " gasped the Doctor,
nearly black in the face from over-exertion. " Ods, my
life, Maister Chairles, if ye dinna be quick and gie him
another shot, he '11 waur us a' at the hin'er end. He 's
amaist pou't the airms aff me already. Deil be licket,
but I 'm thinkin it 's the Foul Fiend himsell, in his aukl
disguise, that we hae grippet. Div ye no find nae smell
o' brimstone about him ! "

" I rather fancy I do," replied Charles, laughing, as
he discharged both barrels into the snake.

Blood gushed copiously from the wounds, and the
strength of the snake was perceptibly diminished. He
suddenly uncoiled himself from the trees, and turned
round, as if with the intention of making an attack.
Charles, snatching up the spear, drove it through his
head, and pinned him to the gi'ound.

" Hold on now. Doctor," cried he, leaning his whole
weight upon the spear to prevent its being withdraA\Ti ;
" keep his tail fast, so that he may not get a purchase
round a tree, and we have him."

The snake wTithed about convulsively, but he was
now completely paralyzed, his strength was gone. In a
few minutes the victory was complete ; and Charles and
the Doctor returned to the road, dragging along their
snake in triumph.

" Bravo, ^Medico ! Welcome the conquering hero !
So you 've managed to hustle him at last." And Mans-
field laughed heartily as the Doctor emerged from the
jungle in a perfect fever of heat and excitement, his
face laced with streaks of blood, which flowed from in-
numerable scratches, and his coat literally torn to shreds.

98 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" But I see you have not obtained a bloodless victory.
Hang it, Doctor, you have utterly ruined your beauty.
You will not be able to show that handsome face of
yours among the women for a month to come."

" Ay, I 'm thinkin I Ve scarted mysell a wee," replied
the Doctor, wiping the blood and perspiration from his
face with the sleeve of his coat. *' But they 're honour-
able wounds, Captain. O ! man, if ye had seen the
grand tulzie we had wi' the rampawgin deevle, it wad
just hae putten ye clean out o' conceit wi' Tigre huntin.
It was the sarest job that ever I put my hand till. But,
O ! Captain, it was grand sport."

" I have no doubt it was a very brilliant piece of
s/aAar," replied Mansfield, smiling. " But what do you
intend to do with your game, now that you have se-
cured it ? "

" Do wi' it ! Od, man, I '11 take him hame, surely.
Na, — I canna do that either, he 's o'er heavy. But I '11
just skin him where he is, and take the skin wi"* me."

" No, no, my friend ; we can't afford time for that
now, the sun is just setting. But, as we are only five
miles from camp, you can easily send out to-morrow
morning and have him carried home."

The Doctor was reluctantly obliged to agi'ee to this
arrangement, and the party proceeded.

Daylight had deserted them before they reached the
end of their journey. But the full moon had risen, and
shed a flood of silver light over the picturesque jungle
encampment, which rejoiced the sight of our wearied
travellers, as a sudden opening amongst the trees
brought them upon a beautiful natural lawn of velvet

A RIDE IX THE GREAT WALIAR JCNGLE. 99

turf embosomed in lofty woods, and sloping gently to-
wards the bank of a deep and broad river studded with
numerous wooded islands. The snow-white tents, glit-
tering in the moonlight, — the bullocks and baggage
ponies picketed under the trees, — the numerous fires,
and the groups of natives squatted around them, with
their dusky features and picturesque dresses brought
out in strong relief by the reflection of the flame, formed
altogether a very striking picture, and lent an air of
home and comfort to the uninhabited forest.

Our party were quickly seated in the principal tent,
around a camp-table sparkling with wax lights, and
groaning under a profusion of goodly viands, — amongst
which a huge venison pasty, and a wild boar's head,
shone conspicuous. Good store of claret was there
also, — ruby bright, cold as the mountain spring. And
the worthy Doctor's heart leapt for joy, whilst his mouth
watered at beholding the unexpected luxury and good
living atforded by an Indian Sportsman's camp.

Ample justice was done to the feast, and after a very
moderate allowance of wine, — for Mansfield, like all
good Sportsmen, was temperate himself and the cause of
temperance in others, — our friends retired to rest, pre-
pared to start at daylight on the morrow, with clear
heads and well-braced nerves, — two things as necessary
to insure success to the Forester as a quick eye and a
true rifle.

CHAPTER VII.

BISON SHOOTING.

We left our jungle encampment glittering in the
moon-light. The moon hath now set and the forest is
shrouded in darkness ; but a slight tinge of gray in the
eastern sky, and a damp chill in the morning air, an-
nounce that day-light is at hand. The distant roar of
the prowling tiger, which, at intervals, " had vexed the
dull ear of night," is no longer heard, and the silence of
the woods is unbroken, save by the melancholy voice of
the great horned owl, as he flits past, on muffled wing,
like an evil spirit retiring before the approach of day.
Heavy wreaths of gray mist slumber on the calm surface
of the river, and all nature is hushed in deep repose.
The horses, picketed in front of their masters' tents,
stand dull and listless, with drooping heads and slouched
ears. And the wearied bullocks may be seen reposing
in groups, under the shelter of the lofty banyan trees.
The only beings which appear possessed of life in the
midst of this dreamy scene, are two dusky figures which
are brought out in strong relief by the cheerful blaze of
a wood fire, over which they are crouching. One is our
friend Heels, who, carefully wrapped up in his dark
cumbley, is busied in preparing a pot of coffee as a morn-
ing draught for the Sportsmen. His companion is a

UISON i>HOOTINa. 101

strange wild-looking animal, and deserves a more parti-
cular description. He is a tall, gamit figure, and per-
fectly naked, with the exception of a tattered piece oi
blue cotton cloth, which does duty, but very imperfect
duty, for a fig leaf. His short woolly hair, flat features,
and thick lips, betray an African origin ; but his air
and manner are very different from what we are accus-
tomed to expect in that persecuted race. He is a
Seedee, a free inhabitant of the trackless forest, and
displays all the lofty bearing, and dignified self-posses-
sion, of an independent savage. His woolly pate is
slightly sprinkled with gray, but his dark piercing eye
is full of fire, and his limbs still display all the muscular
power and elasticity of youth. He is sitting cross-
legged, with a long matchlock resting across his knees,
and is indulging in the luxury of a very primitive species
of pipe, formed by rolling up a small quantity of tobacco
in a green leaf. He observes a dignified silence, and is
evidently regarding the servile occupation of poor Heels
with sovereign contempt, as he puffs out huge volumes
of smoke, and strokes his mustache with a self-com-
placent air. He had for several years been in the habit
of attending Mansfield as guide in his hunting excur-
sions, and always attached himself to the Camp during
his stay in the forest. He had acquired a sufficient
knowledge of Hindostanee to make himself understood
on all ordinary occasions ; and the wonderful sagacity,
almost amounting to instinct, which he displayed in
following up the trail of wild animals, made him an in-
valuable addition to a Hunter's camp. He was fully
aware of his own importance, dignified himself with the

102 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

title of Jemmadar, or Head Man of his Tribe, and com-
ported himself with becoming dignity. He never con-
descended to act as guide to the Hunters, except when
in pursuit of Bison. It requires great skill and perse-
verance in following up a trail, to surprise these animals
in their wild haunts ; and some little nerve and presence
of mind to attack them with success when they are
found. He was the only man of his Tribe who could
reduce the finding and killing of Bison to a certainty.
He therefore considered the hunting of them a royal
sport, worthy of his superior talents. But if Deer or
any inferior game were the object of pursuit, his Son, a
boy about twelve years of age, was deputed to attend ;
the Old Man remarking, with a glance of proud supe-
riority, " The Boy can find Deer."

Mansfield had announced, on the previous evening,
that it was his intention to seek for Bison in the morn-
ing; and old Kamah was waiting impatiently to lead
the Sportsmen into the jungle, whilst the Bison were
still feeding and afoot.

'■'■Hugh!" exclaimed he, uttering a deep guttural
sound, as he pushed Heels, and pointed with an impa-
tient gesture towards the eastern sky, which was fast
brightening into day.

"Hah! daylight come?" cried Heels, starting up;
" time to call Master :" and wrapping his cunibley more
tightly around him, he glided into the tent to rouse the
sleeping Sportsmen.

In a few minutes Mansfield and Charles made their
appearance : the latter had discarded his green hunting-
coat and top-boots, and now a])peared in a dress better

BISON SHOOTING. 103

adapted for the jungle ; with a hunting-knife in his
girdle, a heavy rifle on his shoulder, and all the other
accoutrements of a well-equipped Shikaree. Kaniah
rose as they approached, and extended his hand to sahite
them with the air of an equal. Charles looked with
astonishment at this piece of unwonted familiarity on
the part of a Native.

" Allow me," said Mansfield, leading up Charles, and
obliging him to shake hands with the grimiing savage,
"allow me to introduce my friend Kamah, the Jemmadar.
His appearance is certainly not prepossessing, and, like
many other illustrious characters, it is his pleasure to
affect great simplicity in his dress "

Here Charles could no longer retain his gravity,
but burst into a fit of laughter, and ISIansfield was
obliged to bite his hps hard, to avoid following his
example.

" But, let me tell you, he is a person of no small im-
portance in my camp. He is the best Shikaree, and the
staunchest hand at following up a trail, in the whole
Waliar Jungle. He knows every haunt of the Bison
as well as if he had reared them himself. But you will
be better able to appreciate his extraordinary talents
when you have seen him at work. In the mean time
there are just three little cautions which I must beg to
impress upon you. Always treat him with marked
civility ; — never attempt to disturb him when running
a trail ; — and, above all things, avoid laughing at him.
He is as gentle as a lamb when well treated ; but his
savage nature cannot brook an insult, and if once
offended, his revenge is implacable. I have more than

104 THE OLD FOREHT RAXGER.

once seen the vermin grind his teeth, and handle his
knife, on very shght provocation."

This was, of course, said in EngHsh, so as not to be
understood by their savage friend, who stood showing
his white teeth, and looking very much pleased at the
formal manner in which he had been introduced, as well
as by the accompanying speech, which he, no doubt,
thought was uttered in his praise.

" Well, JemmadarP continued Mansfield, now speak-
ing Hindostanee, " can you show us any Bison this
morning ? "

The Jemmadar drew himself up to his full height, and
assumed a lofty air.

" Can the shepherd of the plain find the pasture-ground
of his flock ? Does that vulture," pointing to a black
speck which was seen sailing high above the tree tops —
" does that vulture require a guide to lead him to the
carcase \ Follow me ; the Jemmadar knows where to
find his herds."

" Come, Master Charles," said Mansfield, smiling, as
he hastily swallowed a cup of coffee ; " shoulder your
rifle and march. Our swarthy friend is waxing impar
tient, and if we ruffle the old pagan''s temper he will
show us no sport to-day."

Charles promptly obeyed the summons ; and our two
Sportsmen, bringing their rifles to a long trail, followed
old Kamali as he stalked into the jungle with rapid
strides.

At this early hour, when the morning air is still fresh,
and the ground sparkling with dew-drops, the tropical
forest seems suddenly to burst into life. The woods

BISON* SHOOTIXO. 105

resound with the buzzing of innumerable insects. The
jungle cock and wild pea-fowl are heard calling to their
mates in wild discordant notes. Chattering troops of
monkeys frisk amongst the branches overhead, showing
their white teeth, and making threatening grimaces at
the strange intruders. The startled deer bound across
the open vistas of the forest, their bright speckled sides
flashing for an instant on the sight, and as suddenly
disappearing, like passing meteors. Whilst wandering
herds of Bison are now on foot, returning slowly from
the open glades, where they have pastured during the
night, to the thick covers of bamboo, under the shades
of which they find an agreeable shelter from the mid-
day sun.

Having penetrated some distance into the forest, the
savage guide suddenly slackened his pace, and, making a
sign to his companions to keep silent, glided on in front
with the stealthy and noiseless tread of a fox, his ears
erect to catch the faintest sound, and liis lynx-like eye
rolling from side to side, now peering into the dark
tangled masses of bamboo, and now roving over the
ground in search of a fresh track.

"Now," whispered Mansfield, "not another word, as
you value the friendship of the Jemmadar. Step lightly.
Avoid as much as possible treading on the dry twigs
which crackle under foot. And mind you do not attempt
to fire at any Deer which may cross your path ; we can
get plenty of them at any time; but the report of a
rifle, at present, would be death to our hopes of finding
Bison."

"■Hugh!" exclaimed their guide, suddenly stopping

106 THE OLD FOREST RA.VGEK.

short, and kneeling do\Mi to examine, more carefully,
some marks, which his experienced eye had detected
amongst the drj' leaves and withered herbage. To the
less delicate organs of the European, there was nothing
particular to be observed, but the Jemmadar had evi-
dently made a discovery of importance. After carefully
regarding the signs he had observed for some time, he
arose with a broad grin of satisfaction on his swarthy
features, and merely uttering the word ^^KoolghaT'' whilst
he held up the fingers of both hands, to denote the num-
ber ten, proceeded with a more rapid step, and more con-
fident air, like a hound running breast-high on the scent.

*' It 's all right now," whispered Mansfield ; " the Imp
has struck upon a fresh trail, and the Devil himself can-
not throw him out, when once he has fairly settled to it ;
we may, therefore, reckon wuth certainty on finding
Bison at the other end, although it is very uncertain
how long we may have to follow it before we come up
with them."

Charles smiled incredulously at the idea of any one
being able to follow the track of an animal, for miles,
over ground where not the slightest vestige of a foot-
mark was visible to ordinary eyes; but, at the same
time, expressed a hope that they might succeed.

" Look here," said Mansfield, as they approached a
dry watercourse, where the fresh footmarks of a herd of
Bison were deeply imprinted on the half-baked mud.
" You may now satisfy your own senses that our guide
is on the right scent. Here, you see, is the fresh trail
of ten or a dozen Bison at least ; and one of them an old
Bull, who will show fight, I '11 be boimd for him, and put

BISON SHOOTING. 107

your metal to the test, my hearty, before you take his
scalp. But we must push forward, for old Kamah is
fuming at this delay."

After following the trail for some miles, at a rapid
pace, the Jemmadar became sensible, from certain signs
which he observed, tliat the game was not far in advance.
He now slackened his pace, and, renewing his signal
to observe profound silence, began to creep along the
bed of a small watercourse with great caution and cir-
cumspection.

" See," whispered Mansfield, as they passed a bank of
wet sand, where the trail was distinctly visible, and the
water, which still continued to flow into the deeply
indented foot-marks, had not yet filled them up — " we
are close upon them now. Keep your wits about you,
my Boy, and be ready with your rifle, for the old Bull
is apt to make a charge, with but scanty warning.""

Every faculty of the sagacious Savage was now on the
full stretch. He crept along with the air of a Tiger
about to spring on his prey : his roUing eye flashed fire ;
his wide nostrils were distended to the utmost limits,
and even his ears appeared to erect themselves, like
those of a wild animal. Presently he started, stopped,
and, laying his ear close to the ground, listened atten-
tively, then proceeded with more caution than before,
stopping and listening, from time to time, till at length
it became evident, from the triumphant beam of satis-
faction which lighted up his savage features, that he had
fully ascertained the position of the enemy. He now
stood erect, cast a prying glance around, to make him-
self master of the locality, held up his hand to ascer-

]08 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

tain the direction of the wind, and, having apparently
satisfied himself that all was right, motioned to his com-
panions to follow his movements. Having scrambled
cautiously out of the watercourse, he laid himself flat
upon the ground, and, separating the tangled brushwood
with one hand, began to worm his way through it, with
the gliding motion and subtle cunning of a snake.
Mansfield and Charles tried to imitate the serpentine
motion of their savage guide, as they best could ; but
they found their less pliant limbs but ill adapted to this
mode of progression, and the noise which they occasion-
ally made in forcing their way through a thorny bush
called forth many an angry frown from the Jemmadar.
Having proceeded in this manner for some hundred
yards, they suddenly came upon an opening amongst the
bushes ; and here a view burst upon the astonished
sight of Charles, which made his eyes flash, and sent the
blood coursing through his veins like quicksilver. They
had gained the edge of a natural clearing in the forest,
an open glade about three hundred yards in diameter,
clothed with rich green herbage, and shaded by gigantic
teak trees, which surrounded it on all sides, stretching
their broad-leafed boughs far into the opening.

In the midst of this a herd of fifteen Bison were
quietly feeding, perfectly unconscious of the near ap-
proach of danger. A mighty Bull, the father of the
herd, stalked about amongst the females, with the lordly
step of a three-tailed Bashaw in the midst of his se-
raglio ; his ponderous dewlap imparting an air of grave
dignity to his appearance, and his sullen eye menacing
with destruction the hardy foe who dared to intrude

niSOX STIOOTIXG. 109

upon his wooded dominions. But Mansfield had tamed
as proud as he, and feared not his glance.

A grim smile of satisfaction passed over the harsh
features of the Jemmadar, as he pointed out the stately
herd. Then raising himself cautiously from amongst
the long grass, he posted himself behind a large tree,
which effectually concealed his person, folded his arms
across his chest, and, leaning against the stem, remained
cold, still, and motionless as a bronze statue. Every
trace of intense excitement which had so lately strung
his nerves to the highest pitch, had passed away ; and
he once more assumed the stoical, passionless air of the
haughty Savage. Pointing again towards the Bison, he
nodded expressively to his companions, as much as to
say, "I have done my duty; there is the game, and
now. Gentlemen, let me see what you can do."

Charles, fiu'ious with excitement, pitched forward
his rifle, and, although his hand shook violently, from
anxiety, and the exertions he had made in scrambling
through the brushwood, was about to pull the trigger
at random, when Mansfield seized his arm with the gripe
of a blacksmith's vice, and pulled him dowTi amongst the
long grass.

" Are you mad," said he, in a low whisper, " to risk
a shot in your present state of excitement ? Why, Boy,
you are panting like a broken-winded post-horse, and
the barrel of your rifle vibrates like a pendulum ! I
suppose you fancy it 's a drove of Brinjaree bullocks
we have to deal with. But wait a bit till you have seen
the charge of a wounded Bison, and I am much mistaken
but you '11 think twice before you risk another shot with

110 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

an unsteady hand. Here," continued he, pulling Charles
behind the stem of a large tree, "get under cover of
this, in the first instance ; you will find a breastwork
somewhat useful before we have done. Now then, sit
down till you have recovered breath, and, in the mean
time, put fresh caps upon your rifle ; I have more than
once narrowly escaped death from neglecting this pre-
caution.'"

Charles, having rested for a few minutes, declared his
hand to be as steady as a rock.

" Well then," said Mansfield, rising slowly on one
knee, and peeping from behind the large knotty stem
which sheltered them, " we shall put your steadiness to
the test. Take that cow next you, and mind you aim
for the heart, just behind the bend of the elbow ; hit her
there, and she is your own : go six inches to the right
or left, and you must stand by to receive a charge, for
charge she will, and the charge of a wounded Bison, let
me tell you, is no child's play."

Charles, now perfectly cool, raised his rifle, took a
deliberate aim at the nearest Bison, and fired. The
enormous brute dropped heavily to the ground, and,
uttering one deep groan, expired without a struggle;
the ball had passed through her heart.

In the excitement of the moment, Charles was about
to raise a shout of triumph, when Mansfield checked
him, and pointing to the Jemmadar, who had already
laid himself flat amongst the long grass, made signs to
him to follow his example.

The herd, startled by the report of the rifle, suddenly
raised their heads with a loud snort, gazed around them

RISON STIOOTIXG. Ill

wildly, as if to ascertain from whence it proceeded, and
trotting up to their fallen companion, began to snuff at
the warm blood. The smell of this excited them to a
state of frenzy. They galloped round the open space
in wild confusion, kicking their heels in the air, goring
at each other with blind fury, and bellowing fearfully, in
that deep tremulous tone so expressive of mingled rage
and fear. Then, suddenly rallying, they slowly ap-
proached, in a body, to the object of their dread, again
snuffed at the blood, and again bellowed, and gored, and
scampered with more violence than ever.

This wild scene had lasted for some minutes, and
Mansfield was beginning to fear that, in the course of
their evolutions, the maddened brutes might stumble on
their place of concealment ; when the Jemmadar, clap-
ping his hands to his mouth, gave utterance to a yell,
so fearfully wild, so like the voice of a Fiend, that even
the Hunters started ; and the terrified Bison, uttering
one tremendous roar, dashed into the thickest part of
the jungle, crashing through the tangled masses of
bamboo like a whirlwind.

The old Bull alone stood his ground, lashing his sides
with his tail, tearing up the earth, and bellowing with
a voice of thunder that made the woods re-echo for
miles.

" Our friend is very pugnaciously inclined," remarked
Mansfield, indulging in a low chuckle, as he slowly raised
his rifle, and brought the sight to bear upon the broad
forehead of the Bull, " we must see if a gentle hint from
Clincher will not bring him to reason."

The report of the rifle was followed by a crash, aa if

112 THE OLD FOREf^T RANGER.

the ball had struck a plate of iron, and the Bull dropped
upon his knees with a surly growl.

The Jemmadar, uttering a wild yell, brandished his
knife, and bounded forward to despatch him, whilst
Mansfield, stepping from behind the shelter of the tree,
cheered on the eager Savage with a hearty shout.

But their triumph was premature : the ball had flat-
tened against the massive skull of the animal, and
merely stunned him, without inflicting any serious injury.
He had regained his legs before the Jemmadar could
reach him ; and now, perfectly mad with rage and pain,
rushed with headlong fury upon old Kamah. Quick as
thought the active Savage darted behind the nearest
tree, and scrambled into the branches with the agility
of a monkey. The Bull, disappointed of his intended
victim, turned with redoubled fury upon Mansfield. The
hardy Hunter, well accustomed to such scenes, and con-
fident of his own coolness and presence of mind, stood
by the side of the tree motionless as a statue, his eagle
eye steadily fixed upon his mad antagonist, and his rifle
on full cock, ready to act as occasion might require :
but the weapon was not raised ; he had but one barrel
remaining, and was determined to reserve it till it could
be discharged with deadly efffect.

On came the Bull at headlong speed — his tail on
end, — his blood-shot eye rolling in the frenzy of mad-
ness,— his tongue lolling far out of his mouth, — and the
white foam flying in spray from his distended jaws.
Mansfield awaited the charge, with perfect coolness,
till the furious brute was within a few yards of him,
when, stepping behind the shelter of the tree, he allowed

BISON SHOOTING. 113

the Bull to pass in his headlong career, and, as he did
so, discharged the remaining barrel of his rifle into his
shoulder. The wounded monster uttered a surly growl,
staggered forward about a hundred yards, stumbled, and
fell heavily.

Charles, who had been watching Mansfield's move-
ments with breathless anxiety, sprang from behind the
tree and levelled his rifle — INlansfield struck down the
barrel before he had time to discharge it.

" Gently, Boy, gently," cried he ; " wait till he is
steady ; the brute is tumbling about like a wounded
grampus, and it is a hundred to one against hitting him
in the right place. Recollect this is our last shot, and
it must not be thrown away rashly." As he said this
the wounded Bull regained his legs. " Now then, my
Boy, be cool ; stick close to the tree, and reserve your
fire till I tell you."

Mustering his whole remaining strength, the frantic
brute fixed his glaring eyes upon the Hunters, and,
lowering his head, dashed at them with determined fury.
But his shoulder was stiff; the life-blood was ebbing
fast, and his sight was bewildered. He stumbled over
the tnmk of a fallen tree — made one desperate plunge
forward — his wounded shoulder failed him — and he rolled
over at their feet, making the earth tremble under his
enormous weight.

" Now then," shouted Mansfield, " at him, before he
can recover his legs. One shot behind the horns, and
we have him."

A peal of fiendish laughter followed the report of
Charles's rifle, and next instant old Kamah was seen

114 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

clinging to the prostrate body of the Bull, and clutch-
ing the hilt of a long hunting-knife, which was l^uried
in his heart.

"He was a gallant brute," said Mansfield, dropping
the butt-end of his rifle to the ground, and wiping the
big drops of perspiration from his forehead.

CHAPTER VIII.
BEAR SHOOTING.— THE HUNTER'S CAMP, &c.

How great a change has taken place since the
Hunters first entered the forest .' The sun is now hiffh
in the heavens ; the fresh morning breeze has died
away, giving place to a close, suffocating, steamy air;
and all natm-e seems to be overpowered by the ap-
proaching mid-day heat. The stillness of death per-
vades the woods which so lately swarmed with life. Not
a sound is heard to break the solemn silence, save, at
long intervals, the tap of a solitary woodpecker, or the
dismal wailmg cry of the gray monkey, which, heard
from a distance, echoing among the hollow arches of the
forest, sounds almost unearthly, and, to a superstitious
mind, would suggest the idea of some evil spirit of the
woods, denouncing woe on the rash intruders whose
footsteps have dared to violate the awful solitude of the
wilderness.

But we cannot attempt to describe the feelings of
wonder and admiration almost amounting to awe, the
wild spirit of romance, the ardent love of adventure,
with which, in our younger days, we have wandered
through the pathless forest, and listened with rapture to
the wild voices of the woods, as a lover to the soft sisrh
of his mistress. No : these feelings are not to be

I 2

116 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

described, nor can they be understood, save by one who
has wandered deep into the trackless wilds of an Indian
forest, with no companion but his trusty rifle, no guide
to direct his steps but the fiery sun which scorches the
tree-tops — by one who has seen the prowling Tiger
cross his solitary path, and stood, silent and alone, over
the prostrate carcass of the vanquished Bison.

We must, therefore, leave our readers to imagine, as
they best may, the ideas which are flitting through the
brain of our friend Charles, as he sits upon the trunk
of that fallen tree, with his head resting on his hand,
and gazing vacantly into the dark vista of the forest
which lies in front of him. His head is evidently fidl of
poetry ; he may be composing verses for aught we
know, or perhaps he is only admiring the dancing of the
sunbeams, which, streaming tlu"ough the thick foliage in
threads of golden light, chequer the earth with bright
fantastic gleams ; whilst, over head, the polished green
leaves sparkle like emeralds amidst the surrounding
gloom. At all events, he is indulging in a day-dream
of some sort, and whether the subject thereof be sun-
beams or ladies'" eyes is no business of ours.

ISIansfield is reposing at full length upon the gTass,
smoking a cheroot, and amusing himself by making a
sketch of the fallen Bison — for he is a naturalist as well
as a sportsman, and always preserves drawings of rare
animals, or specimens of an unusual size which he may
happen to meet with.

The Jemmadar is squatted at the root of a tree,
with his knees doubled up to his chin, puffing out huge
volumes of smoke, and apparently unconscious of what

BEAR SHOOTING. 117

is passing around him — for his eyes are . half closed,
every muscle is relaxed, and his attitude is altogether
one of dreamy, listless idleness. — But it is only the
repose of the Tiger in ambush : every faculty is on the
full stretch ; not a sound falls imheeded on his watchful
ear ; and, from time to time, his breathing is checked
and his wide nostrils distended, as if he depended as
much on the sense of smell as on any other faculty, for
obtaining that information of approaching danger so
necessary to the safety of a wandering savage.

" A splendid specimen, indeed ! " muttered Mans-
field, soliloquizing, as he carefully measured off a tape
with which he had previously taken the dimensions of
the Bull. " Two full inches higher than any one I have
ever met with — and I have seen a few, too ; we must
take a note of this. Let me see — what day ? — ay,
fifteenth ISIay — \yaliar Jungle — genus Bos — variety
Bos Gaurus — rare animal — history very imperfectly
known. — Mem. look him up in Cuvier — large male —
height at the shoulder, six feet four — length from nose
to insertion of tail, eleven feet — girth of fore-arm, two
feet eight — girth of ""

" Sunho Sahib ! " exclaimed the Jemmadar^ suddenly
starting from his indolent position, and stretching
forward his neck, as if listening attentively to some
sound which was not audible to his companions.

" Halloo, old fellow ! what 's in the wind now I "
cried Mansfield, throwing down his note-book, and
grasping his rifle.

The Jemmadar returned no answer, but continued to
listen attentively for a repetition of the sound which

118 THE OLD FOREST BANGER.

had at first arrested his attention ; at length, having
apparently satisfied himself as to its nature, and the
quarter from whence it proceeded, he quietly relapsed
into his listless attitude, merely uttering the word
" Reenchr

" A Bear ! " cried Mansfield, hastily shoving his sketch-
ing materials into his pocket. " Come, Charles, my boy,
we must have his hide before we go to breakfast, hot
though it be. What say you ? "

" By all manner of means," cried Charles, starting
to his feet and shouldering his rifle ; " never mind the
heat ; I 'm up to any thing after that brush with the
Bison ; regularly savage ; ' fit to wap my weight in wild
cats,' as the Yankees say ; so hurrah ! and at him. Of
course our friend Kamah can ferret him out : I shall
never presume to doubt his powers in that way again,
after witnessing the masterly style in which he brought
us up to the Bison."

" You may see by the quiet expression of the old
Pagan's features that he has no doubt upon that head
himself," replied Mansfield ; " but I shall just ask him
the question, that we may hear what answer he will
make. Here, Jemmadar ; you heard a Bear just now?"

" Ho, Sahib:'

" Shall we we able to get a shot at him, think you ? "

" If it is the SahiVs pleasure to do so. But, for my
own part, I have no quarrel with the Bear at present,
for although he does steal a little honey, there is plenty
in these woods for both of us."

" Oh ! that is a very good excuse," said Mansfield,
winking to Charles : " the Jemmadar talks like an old

BEAR SHOOTING. 119

womafi ; he does not know where to find the Bear, and
wants to put us off by saying he has no quarrel with
him."

" Does the Sahib wish to laugh at the beard of old
Kamah?" replied the savage, with an air of offended
dignity. " Is the Jemmadar a dog that he should eat
dirt, or is the Sahib a child, not to know that where
the wild bee hangs her nest, there will the Bear be
found also ? Go, Sahib, — try to throw dust in the eyes
of the topee wallahs." So saying, the Jemmadar turned
on his heel, and walked off with a sullen dogged air.

" So much for good example ! " cried Charles, burst-
ing into a triumphant laugh. " Do you recollect your
good advice to me 2 ' Mind you always treat him with
the utmost respect ! Never interfere with him in fol-
lowing up a trail ! And, above all things, avoid laugh-
ing at him ! ! ' Ha ! ha ! ha ! Capital ! I take it, my
worthy preceptor has got himself into a scrape, and
will find that the Jemmadar has turned the joke against
him."

" Faith, you may say that," replied Mansfield, with
rather a blank look; " I have fairly set the old devil's
bristles up, and it will be no easy matter to smooth
them do^^^l again ; however, I must try to coax the
vermin into good humour, else, the chances are he will
start off and leave us to find our way out of the jungle
as we best can : in which case our stomachs are likely
to be better acquainted with wild berries than hashed
venison for the next two or three days, as I know to my
cost. I lost myself in this forest once before, and have
no fancy to repeat the experiment."

120 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

So saying, Mansfield followed the sulky steps of the
Jemmadar, in hopes of bringing him to reason, whilst
Charles, whose inward man was beginning to wax some-
what importunate for food, and who, consequently, did
not altogether relish the idea of a few days' ruralizing
in the forest on such primitive fare as wild fruits and
muddy water, watched the progress of the conference
with no small interest.

The Jemmadar was at first implacable ; but Mansfield
had luckily great influence over him, and, after a long
palaver, at length succeeded in pacifying him. A hearty
pull out of the brandy flask, which Mansfield always
carried in his pocket, but only to be used in cases of
emergency, completely restored old Kamah to good
humour. His harsh features gradually relaxed into a
broad grin, as he felt the generous liquor warm his
heart, and, extending his bony hand to ISIansfield, with
an important and somewhat patronizing air, said —

" There is peace between us — Upon my eyes be it !
the Bear shall be made to eat the Sahib's bullets."

Peace being thus happily restored, no time was lost
in proceeding to business. The Jemmadar led the way,
as usual, advancing directly into the thickest part of the
jungle, and occasionally breaking a small branch from
the trees, or tying a knot in the long grass to serve as
landmarks in guiding him back to the spot where they
had killed the Bison.

" jDeA/io, Sahib!" exclaimed Kamah^ with, a broad
grin, as they emerged from a thicket of bamboo, and
came upon an open space in the forest, in the centre of
which stood a teak tree of gigantic proportions. " That

BEAR SHOOTING.

121

is the sort of bait to catch Bears : the Sahih will know
it when he sees it again," and the old villain chuckled
mightily at his own wit, as he pointed to the topmost
branches, from whence depended huge semicircular
masses of honeycomb several feet in depth, which looked
as if it must have required the united labour of many
successive generations of bees to have constructed them.

" There," said Mansfield, pointing to the stem of the
tree, the bark of which, as high as the branches, was
much scratched and torn, as if by the claw of some
animal ; " there are Master Bruin's marks pretty dis-
tinctly visible, and, from the number of them, I should
guess he is tolerably punctual in his visits to the Jem-
madars bee-hives."

" Sawmee'' whispered the Jemmadar, creeping close
up to Mansfield, and touching him on the shoulder;
" dekho^ Sahib," and he pointed eagerly towards the top
of the tree. Mansfield followed with his eye the direc-
tion indicated ; and, there, in the midst of a dense mass
of foliage, a small patch of black fur was faintly visible.

" That 's our friend, by all that 's beautiful ! " cried
he, rubbing his hands. " Here, Charley, my boy ! do
you take the first shot, and let us see how cleverly you
can knock him off his perch."

" Where is he ? " asked Charles, looking up, and
shading his eyes with his hand. " I can see nothing."

" There, among that thick mass of leaves at the very
top of the tree : do you not observe a small black spot?"

" Ay, ay ; now I have it."

Charles raised his rifle slowly and fired. The Bear
remained motionless, and the sharp rattle of the bullet

122 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

as it crashed through the branches left no doubt that it
had missed its object.

" Below him," said Mansfield, with great composure,
at the same time raising his rifle and firing quickly.
This shot was answered by a deep growl, and a con-
vulsive start on the part of the Bear, but he still re-
mained motionless, and showed no symptoms of being
wounded.

" Another miss ! " cried Charles, in great glee. " I 've
still a chance to draw first blood, after all — Hurra ! "

" By the beard of the Prophet ! I believe you are
right," said Mansfield, regarding his rifle with a look of
astonishment, such as a keeper might be expected to
bestow on a favourite pointer who had suddenly taken
a fancy to running in to birds, instead of dropping at
shot. "And yet I can hardly believe that Clincher
would make such an egregious mistake either. I had
full six square inches of black fur to fire at, and the
range is not above seventy yards. Well, never mind ;
better luck next time. But, in the mean time, we must
get right under the tree to have a view of him, for I
see he has shifted his position. That shot was too near
to be pleasant, whether it hit him or not. Ha ! what's
this?" continued Mansfield, as he looked upwards from
the root of the tree, and felt a large warm drop fall
upon his forehead. " Blood, as I live ! and plenty of
it, too. See, it comes pattering down amongst the dry
leaves like rain. I thought Clincher would hardly play
me such a trick as to miss at that distance."

As he said this, a rustling was heard in the branches
overhead, and the Bear, sliding from the branch on

BEAR SHOOTING. 123

which he was perched, began slowly and cautiously to
descend the tree, turning his head from side to side,
showing his teeth in a threatening manner, and growl-
ing fiercely at his assailants.

Charles raised his piece, and was about to fire.

" Hold!" cried Mansfield, as he busied himself in re-
loading the barrel of his rifle which had been discharged ;
" Fair play, fair play : don't take an ungentlemanlike
advantage of poor Bruin ; he is a gallant fellow to think
of showing fight against such odds, and it is but common
civility to let him reach the ground before we proceed
to further hostilities. You shall have the first round
with him if you only keep quiet and' let him get down."

Charles lowered his rifle, and stood watching the
clumsy progress of the Bear with great interest. The
poor brute had evidently received a severe wound, and
moved with great pain and difficulty. Faster and faster
pattered the large drops, forming a crimson pool at the
foot of the tree. The growl of defiance was changed
to a faint moaning cry, half stifled by the blood which
now bubbled copiously from his distended jaws; the
faintness of death was upon him ; he no longer at-
tempted to descend, but clasping his fore-paws firmly
round a projecting branch, held on with convulsive
energy.

" It 's all over with him," said Mansfield ; " give the
poor brute another shot, and put him out of jjain."

Charles instantly fired : one deep groan was heard ;
slowly and reluctantly the gigantic fore-paws relaxed
their hold.

" Stand from under," shouted Mansfield, and next

124 THE OLD FOXIEST RAN'GER.

moment the enormous black mass descended to the
earth with a velocity that made it rebomid several feet,
effectually extinguishing any spark of life which might
have remained.

" A most inglorious victory," said Mansfield, returning
his ramrod with an impatient jerk. " But the skin
is a good one, which is all that can be said in favour of
our exploit. And now, methinks, we had best wend
our way homewards, for we are full four miles from
camp, and the heat is enough to fry one's brains into
an omelette."

" To say nothing of the want of breakfast," continued
Charles, whose mouth watered at the very mention of an
omelette ; I feel as empty as a kettle drum, and hungry
enough to eat the hind leg of a donkey without salt —
Allans^ mon Capitaine!'''

" Will the Sahib not kill another Bear?" asked the
Jemmadar, with a knowing look, as the two Sportsmen
were about to move off.

" To be sure we will," exclaimed both the young men
in a breath, " if you will only find him for us."

^'- Kamah can find him," rephed the savage, with a
confident air. " Follow me."

The Jemmadar spoke thus assuredly, from having
remarked that the dead Bear was a male, and knowing
that, if he followed the trail backwards, there was little
doubt that it would lead him to the hiding-place of the
female and her cubs.

As good luck would have it, the trail led them in the
direction of the camp ; a circumstance which induced our
two Sportsmen to follow the rapid strides of their con-

BEAR SHOOTING. 125

ductor with double alacrity. After pursuing a tortuous
course, through an almost impenetrable jungle, for up-
wards of a mile, the trail suddenly ceased on the edge
of a small muddy stream, the opposite bank of which
rose to a considerable height, and was composed of huge
splintered masses of rock piled one upon another in wild
confusion.

" We are not far from her now," said Mansfield,
cocking both barrels of his rifle, and throwing it across
his arm, ready to be used at a moment's notice, whilst
old Kamah waded across the stream, and hunted about,
like a hound at fault, in hopes of finding a continuation
of the trail amongst the bare rocks ; but their hard
surface afforded no vestige of foot-marks even to the
experienced eye of the savage.

The indefatigable Kamah had climbed more than
half way up the rocky bank, hunting with the eagerness
of a terrier, and poking his nose into eveiy crevice
which afforded the slightest probability of concealing a
Bear, when, on turning the angle of a rock, he suddenly
started back, and beckoned, with eager gestures, for
Mansfield to come across.

At this moment a terrific growl was heard. The
Jemmadar, casting a hasty glance over his shoulder,
sprang, without hesitation, from the dizzy height into
the bed of the stream, and ere he reached the water,
the infuriated Bear appeared upon the very ledge of
rock which he had quitted, giving vent to her impotent
rage in a prolonged roar, and glaring with the malignant
eye of a baffled fiend, on the intended victim who had so
narrowly escaped her jaws.

126 THK OLD FOREST RANGER.

Quick as thought, Mansfield discharged his unerring
rifle, and the Bear, rearing up to her full height, rolled
headlong down the rocky steep, falling right over poor
Kamali^ who had not yet had time to scramble out of
the water.

The Jemmadar had hardly uttered a yell of astonish-
ment, when he found himself firmly clasped in the
deadly embrace of the Bear, and felt her hot breath
blowing upon his cheek. Twisting his body round, with
the agility of a wild cat, he avoided the first grasp which
she made at his head ; and knowing full well that he
had nothing else for it, thrust his naked arm, without
hesitation, between her extended jaws, seizing the root
of her tongue, with the desperate gripe of a man who is
determined that nothing but death shall force him to quit
his hold. A deadly struggle now ensued ; the two com-
batants— each equally savage in their own way — rolling
over and over, and struggling, like two incarnate fiends,
in the midst of the muddy stream, now crimsoned by the
blood which flowed copiously from the wounded Bear.
And it was well for the Jemmadar that she had been
wounded, else the contest would have been speedily
ended. Mansfield stood for some time anxiously watch-
ing their movements, with his forefinger resting on the
trigger of his rifle, in hopes that some lucky turn might
give him an opportunity of firing into the Bear : and
more than once the weapon was raised to his shoulder ;
but so quick were their evolutions, that he did not dare
to risk a shot. For an instant the shaggy hide of the
Bear appeared on the surface ; and ere it could be well
distinguished, its place was supplied by the dusky figure

BEAR SHOOTFXa. 127

of the savage — his teeth firmly clenched — every smew
in his wiry frame strained almost to cracking — and his
blood-shot eyes starting from their sockets, in conse-
quence of the dreadful pressure he endured.

" This -^nll never do," exclaimed Mansfield, hastily
throwing down his rifle, and preparing to plunge in the
water ; but ere he could do so, the blade of old KamaWs
hunting-knife was seen to flash brightly in the sun, and
next moment he started to his feet, with a savage yell
of triumph, flourishing the blood-stained weapon round
his head, whilst the lifeless body of the Bear floated
slowly down the stream — He had just withdrawn it
from her heart.

" It was my Fate," said the Jemmadar, casting a rue-
ful glance at his arm, which was a good deal mangled by
the teeth of the Bear, although, in her wounded state,
she had not been able to exert sufficient strength to
break the bones : "It was my Fate ; " and consoling
himself with this reflection, he proceeded to bind up his
wounds with a pocket-handkerchief which Charles had
given him.

" She must have cubs hereabouts," remarked Mans-
field to Charles, after they had dragged the body of the
Bear from the stream, and laid it on the bank ; " she
must have cubs hereabouts, else she would never have
made such a desperate attack as she did on the Jem-
madar. What say you, Kamah, are there not young
ones in the cave V

" The Sahib hath spoken wisdom," replied the Jem-
madar ; " there are doubtless young bears in the cave —
the young devils, the children of an accursed dam, shall

128 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

not escape my knife !" So saying, and grinding his
teeth, the revengeful savage chitehed the hilt of his
hunting-knife with a determined grasp.

"No, no, Master Kamah" cried Charles, checking
him ; " you shall not kill the poor little \\Tetches. I
want a young bear particularly, and I am sure our friend
the Doctor would give his ears for one. We must take
them alive and carry them into camp."

This measure having been carried, after some opposi-
tion from the Jemmadar, he was persuaded to go back
to the cave to secure the cubs. He soon returned with
two little misshapen snarling imps, about the size of
terrier dogs, one of which he carried by the nape of the
neck in his hand, whilst the other was secured under his
arm; and many were the maledictions he bestowed
upon them, as they struggled, and scratched, and
writhed about, in their vain attempts to free themselves
from his iron grasp.

The cubs having been properly secured, and one of
them committed to the care of Charles — for the poor
Jemmadar, with his wounded arm, found his two unruly
protegees rather more than he could manage — the party
moved off towards their camp, with all the speed which
ravenous hunger and the prospect of a good breakfast
could inspire.

An hour's scrambling through dense jungle, where
the heat and want of air was almost suffocating, brought
them in sight of the camp ; and poor Charles, now
nearly fainting from hunger and fatigue, felt most de-
voutly thankful as the cheerful scene oj^ened to his view
— a scene which formed so striking a contrast to the

THE HUNTKr'.S camp. I'l^)

silent gloom of the forest, giving promise of rest, good
cheer, and shelter from the merciless rays of a tropical
sun. The white canvass roofs of the tents, sparkling in
the sunbeams, and standing out in bold relief against a
dark background of forest-trees, looked the very picture
of comfort ; and the bustle which took place amongst
the native servants, as soon as their masters appeared
in sight, showed that they anticipated a hasty order for
the substantial breakfast which had long awaited their
arrival. Under the shade of a widely-spreading Banyan
tree, numerous fires sent up their thin spiral columns
of blue smoke into the clear atmosphere, indicating the
speedy preparation of the mid-day meal of the camp
followers, who, enjoying the luxury of a day"'s relaxation
from labour, might be seen swimming, diving, and floun-
dering about in the cool stream of the river, like a flock
of wild fowl. The Wives of the Horsekeepers, in their pic-
turesque and gaudy-coloured dresses, squatted in groups
around their fires, carefully watching the earthen vessels'
which contained their frugal mess of rice : whilst their
husbands busied themselves in pouring out and cooling
the gram, previous to giving it to the noble-looking Arab
horses, ^^'hich, picketed at a short distance, neighed and
pawed the ground with impatient eagerness. Groups of
bullocks and baggage-ponies strayed about amongst the
trees, luxuriating in the rich herliage which the natural
lawTi afforded ; and, in the foreground, in the shallow
part of the river, the huge baggage Elephant lay extended,
at full length, like an Eastern potentate in his bath,
flapping his ponderous ears, and lazily splashing the
water about with his trunk ; whilst the Mahout, kneel-

ISO THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

ing on the top of his unwieldy charge, diligently scrubbed
the dark-polished hide of the animal with a rough piece
of freestone — a species of shampooing which old '•^Anack"
seemed to enjoy mightily, ever and anon expressing his
approbation thereof by a complacent grunt, and a more
vigorous flap with his ears.

As our party neared the tents, their ears were assailed
by the harsh tones of the Doctor's voice, loud in wrath.

" Ye d — d long fushionless gowk, will ye no baud yer
grip ?" were the first words which reached their ears.
" Od's my life, man, can ye no baud on, by the tail, till
I pu' the skin o'er his head ? If ye let go again, and gar
me spoil the specirain, the consequence is, I '11 ding the
life out o' ye, ye soft sumph !"

" Suppose Master cut off my head, I never can do
this business," replied the squeaking voice of Heels, in
a tone of remonstrance. " I poor Matee boy — Master
too muchee strong — snake's tail too muchee large — too
muchee fat — too muchee slippery make — how can poor
black fellow hold him grip V

" Weel, then, gie me the tail, and tak' ye baud o' the
skin, ye poor fushionless cat ; and mind ye dinna rive it,
or, as fac' as death, I '11 Burke you, and make an anato-
mical preparation o' your wizen'd carcage."

"Hurra! and walk away with it, my hearties ! Pull
Doctor, pull Devil ? " shouted Mansfield, clapping his
hands, and laughing till his sides ached, as he entered
the tent, and discovered the Doctor, his gaunt figure
very scantily clad in a dirty shirt and a pair of mosquito
drawers, holding on, as if his life depended upon it, by
the tail of the huge snake he had killed the evening

THF IUXTEr's CAJIP. 131

before; his face the colour of a frosty moon, and the
big drops of perspiration streaming from his forehead ;
whilst Heels, grinning like an insane baboon, panted,
and strained, and tugged at the skin, which he was
attempting to strip off like that of an eel. As the
Doctor's evil genius would have it, the tail at this mo-
ment slipped through his hands, and he and his black
assistant, falling backwards with a violence proportioned
to the tremendous exertions they had been making,
rolled, head over heels, to opposite sides of the tent.
This was too much even for the stoical gravity of the
Jemmadar, who, opening his leathern jaws, and display-
ing his formidable array of snow-white teeth, gave vent
to an eldrich laugh, which completely drowned the less
boisterous mirth of his European companions.

" What, in the name of the foul fiend, gars ye laugh
that gait, ye black Pagan V cried the Doctor, sitting up
on the ground, gi-inning like an ogre, and rubbing the
lower part of his back with a ludicrous expression of
mingled pain and chagrin. " O, aye, laugh away ; — it 's
grand sport for you, nae doot : but, by my troth, if you
had gotten sic a lick on the os-coccygis as I got the noo,
I 'm thinking it would gar }e laugh the wrang side o'
your mouth ; and, faith, it 's wi' the wrang side o' your
mouth I '11 gar ye laugh yet, if ance I get a grip o' ye.
As true as I 'm leevin, I think it 's knockit off a'the-
gither," continued the Doctor, feeling the injured part
with great delicacy of touch.

" O, the devil a fear of it, Doctor!" said Mansfield,
assisting him to rise ; " your bones are not so easily
broken as all that comes to. Get up, man, and shake

K 2

132 THK OI.D FOr.EST RANGER.

yourself; I 've got a patient for you. Poor Kamah has
been somewhat roughly handled by a Bear, and wants a
little of your professional aid to put him to rights."

" Grippit by a Bear ! " cried the Doctor, starting to
his feet with alacrity, his love for a surgical operation
completely getting the better of his angry feelings.
" Odd ! but that will be an interesting case. Come here,
my man, and let me examine you ; tak' that clout off
your arm — dinna be feared, I '11 no hae recourse to am-
putation if it can possibly be avoided. But, at the same
time, it may be prudent to hae the tools ready, in case
they should be required." So saying, the Doctor rum-
maged out his travelling-case of instruments, which he
unrolled and ostentatiously laid upon the table, flanked
by the usual accompaniment of sponge, water, lint,
bandages, &c. " Noo, then," said he, tucking up his
sleeves, and looking very formidably business-like, — after
he had felt the edge of his various instruments, and tried
them upon the palm of his hand to see if they were in
good order; " Sit doon here, my man, and let me ex-
amine the wounds. You needna be the least alarmed."

The Jemmadar^ who had attentively watched the
Doctor's proceedings, and evidently did not at all rehsh
the aspect of affairs, bounded back as the Doctor ap-
proached, and, glaring at him with the eye of a Tiger at
bay, clutched the hilt of his hunting- knife.

" The deevil 's in the bloodthirsty Pagan ! " exclaimed
the Doctor, perfectly aghast. " Is it gaun to stick me
ye are ? Weel, weel, tak' your ain May o't," continued
he, seeing the Jemmadar looked more and more savage ;
" tak' yere ain gait — dee and be d — d, — for dee ye will

THE hunter's camp. 133

— the limb 11 mortify, ye donnert auld deevil — that '11
be the upshot o't — and a dismal ill-far'd coi'p ye '11 mak'
when ye 're streekit." So saying, the Doctor turned
away, and proceeded to pack up his rejected instruments.

The obnoxious apparatus having been removed, Mans-
field succeeded in explaining to the Jemmadar that the
Doctor's intentions were quite harmless ; and having,
after some trouble, pacified the enraged practitioner,
the wounded arm was at length unbound, and the Doctor,
— gTumbling, however, a good deal as he did so, — pro-
ceeded to examine it.

" Humph !" said the Doctor, putting on his spectacles,
taking a pinch of snufi;, and assuming an air of profound
wisdom ; " ye '11 condescend to avail yourself of ray pro-
fessional knowledge noo, ^^^ll ye, ye poor benighted
Pagan ? Od, it 's weel for you that ye hae sic an easy-
tempered man to deal wi' ; mony a ane would have seen
ye far enough afore they would hae been at the fash o'
patching up yere greasy black hide. AVhisht, ye can-
kered deevil, and dinna be girning that gait — faith, if I
hae occasion to handle the tools, I '11 gie ye something to
gira for, my man ! I tell't ye, I 'd gar ye laugh the wrang
side o' yere mouth, afore I was done wi' ye. Od, but
she 's gi'en ye a gay sair churt," continued the Doctor,
as he spunged away the clotted blood ; " thae lacerated
punctures are bad things, and ill to heal ; but I believe
there 's nae banes broken, and, I dare say, if mortifica-
tion does na ensue, we may manage to save the limb,
although mony a ane would whip it off at ance, just to
save trouble."

Having thus made out the woret case he possibly could.

134 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

the Doctor proceeded to wash and clean the wounds,
which, after all, were not of so serious a nature as he
wished his friends to believe ; and having bound up the
arm with some simple dressing, and suspended it in a
sling, the Jemmadar was allowed to retire, evidently
delighted at having escaped so easily out of the Doctor's
clutches.

" And now," said Mansfield, addressing the Doctor,
" if you will be good enough to remove that half-skinned
snake, which is an object not at all calculated to improve
one's appetite, we will to breakfast. I feel as ravenous
as a ground shark, and I see Master Charles is already
making play with his knife and fork, so it is time to look
out for our share of the rations. I suppose. Doctor,
you have had your breakfast long ago."

"■ Aye," replied the Doctor, casting an amorous
glance at the goodly viands which loaded the table, as
he assisted Heels in removing the snake — "Aye, I
got a bit chack twa hours sin' syne, but I 'm gay weel
apeteezed again ; I 'm thinkin' I '11 just sit doon and
pick another wee bit for company sake. We '11 ca' it
lunch."

So saying, and wiping his greasy hands in his shirt-
sleeves, the Doctor fell to work; and the unwearied
industry with which he plied his jaws proved that " the
bit chack, twa hours syne," had done but little towards
damping his appetite — nor were his companions back-
ward in the fray. Hashed venison, curry, omelette, fresh
fish from the river, huge bowls of tea, and goblets of
cool claret, disappeared as if by magic. In short, it was
a regular Hunter's breakfast, and, by my troth, there

THE hunter's camp, I3o

was no lack either of appetite or inclination, on the part
of the Hunters, to do it ample justice.

" The Lord be thankit for sC his mercies," murmured
the Doctor, at length, throwing himself back in his chair,
patting his stomach complacently, and proceeding to
light a cigar, which he said was good for digestion —
" I 'm as foo' as a partan."

The Doctor had lighted his cigar, and was sitting,
with half-closed eyes, allowing the smoke to escape in
thin spiral columns from the corner of his mouth, and
thinking what a pity it was that man's gastronomic
powers were limited, when he w-as startled from his
reverie by a low, whining cry behind him.

" What's that ?" cried he, turning hastily round in his
chair, and discovering the two young Bears, who, having
been left to their own devices, had crept away and tried
to conceal themselves in a remote corner of the tent.
" What'na twa queer black things is yon, rowin aboot
in that dark comer, for a' the w^orld like twa young imps
o' Satan ? My certie, they 'r no' very canny like. I
wadna say but what they 'r twa familiar spirits belonging
to that deevil the Jemviadar. I aye thought he lookit
gay like a Warlock."

" No, they are my familiar spirits," cried Charles,
jumping up, and proceeding to lug the reluctant little
savages into the middle of the tent ; " I had quite for-
gotten the unfortunate imps, who must be quite as much
in want of food as we were."

"Od's my life, they 'r Bears !" cried the Doctor, in
great delight ; " Ursus lahiatus — grand specimins, and
just the right size to make pets o' — whar' did ye get
them?"

136 THE OLD FOKEST KAXGER.

" We caught tliem in a cave, after having killed their
mother,'" replied Charles, ' ' and I thought they would be
well worth the trouble of carrying home. I intend one
of them as a present to you, Doctor, if you think it
worthy of acceptance : so you may take your choice."

" Warthy o' acceptance ! Od, Maister Charles, I
wadna** tak' a five pund note for ane o' them. I 'm
muckle indebted to you indeed. Sir. Come here to me,
ye poor wee hairy tyke," continued the Doctor, putting
on his most insinuating look, snapping his fingers, and
holding out a saucer of milk towards one of the young
Bears. " Come here to me, and I '11 gie you a sup o'
milk. I ""m sure your mammy did na' gie ye ony break-
fast this morning, for ye look awfu' hungered-like ;" but
the unmannerly cub turned a deaf ear to the Doctor's
gentle importunities. " Hoot, man, come here ; what
gar's ye look sae dooms stupid-like I div ye no ken
the smell o' sweet milk V

So saying, the Doctor seized the sulky little brute
by the nape of the neck, placed him on his knee, and
shoving his nose into the saucer, attempted to make
him drink, whether he would or not. This was an insult
which the independent spirit of young Bruin could not
brook ; and, accordingly, he made a most determined
resistance — growling, scratching, and gnashing his teeth,
with a determined courage worthy of his illustrious an-
cestors. At last he succeeded in fixing his teeth in the
worthy Doctor's hand, making the blood start, and
extorting an involuntary cry of pain.

" I '11 thraw ye'r neck, ye girnin cankered deevle, that
will I," roared the Doctor, starting to his feet, tossing

/^'

"■""■'^^^sr .

-3^P^*i^-;**p*-" t^--»«' ■ " 'v^i'v

■41

THE HLNTEu's CAMP. 137

his adopted bairn into the middle of the tent, and shaking
liis wounded hand, as if it had been scalded. " Wha
would ha' thought the bit towzy tyke had sae muckle
wickedness in it ! Od's my life, sma' though it be, it
gar'd its teeth play chack like a pair o' hedge sheers ; it
has amaist nippit ane o' the fingers aff me."

The young Bears having been turned out of the tent
in disgrace, and consigned to the care of one of the
Horsekeeper's Wives, — who, having half a dozen squall-
ing brats of her own, was supposed to possess some skiU
in the management of such unruly cubs, — the Doctor
patched up his wounded fingers with a piece of adhesive
plaster, poured out a fresh bowl of tea, and resumed his
cigar.

"That's true," said he, addressing Mansfield; "I
forgot to ask what sport ye had this morning ; did ye
get ane o' thae muckle Bison beasts ye were speakin"' o'
yest'reen ? I 'm very anxious to see ane of them ; for
they are, nae doubt, rare animals, and I hae heard sae
mony different opinions aboot them, that I 'm just in
swithers whether they ought to be classed amongst the
Bisontian group, or whether they are only a variety of
the wild Buffalo which is found in the jungles of Bengal."

" Well, Doctor, you may soon have yom* curiosity
satisfied on that head. We killed two fine specimens
this morning — a male and female — besides a couple of
Bears ; but to do so, I fear you must accompany Kamah
and his party when they go to fetch home the game ;
for the Bison are such unwieldy animals, that it is im-
possible to carry them off entire. When you see them,
I Jiave no doubt you will agree with me that they are

138 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

true Bison, although a variety quite distinct from the
Bison of Europe or North America. You will find a
description of the animal — but a very imperfect one — in
Cuvier's work, under the name of Bos Gaurus. But I
see old Kamah is already mustermg his Coolies ; so, if
you intend to accompany them, you had better order
your horse. You can ride well enough till you get into
the heavy bamboo jungle, and it is just as well to save
an unnecessary walk in the sun."

The Doctor was soon equipped in a white jacket and
broad-brimmed straw hat, and bestriding his raw-boned
Cutch horse, with a goodly-sized umbrella over his head
to protect him from the sun, he drove his heels into the
lean ribs of his charger, j irked the reins, made a cluck-
ing noise with his tongue, and leaning well forward, with
his elbows projecting at right angles from his body,
started at a shambling trot. The Jemmadar and a
whole regiment of Coolies followed in his wake ; some
bearing bamboos and ropes to carry home the Bears ;
whilst others were armed with knives, hatchets, &c., for
the purpose of cutting up the Bison.

" Two to one the Doctor gets spilt before he is clear
of the camp," cried Charles, laughing heartily at the
grotesque appearance of the worthy Doctor, and his
raw-boned steed.

"The chances are ten to one in your favour," replied
Mansfield ; " I can see, by the way the old dromedary
carries his ears, that he is in one of his sulky fits this
morning : he is not the least inclined to leave the camp,
and if he begins to argue the point, the Doctor is pretty
sure to get the worst of it. There he goes — I told you

THE HUNTEr"'s CA-MP. 139

SO — up with the black flag, and no surrender. Well
done, Doctor, hit him again — Hurra !"

The Doctor's charger, as IMansfield predicted, had
not advanced above a hundred yards, when he suddenly
wheeled round, laid his ears back, clapped his tail be-
tween his legs, shook his head with a sulky dogged air,
and looked askance at his rider, with his malignant wall-
eye, as much as to say, " I '11 see you particularly well
d — d before I go an inch farther — so do your worst."

" Tak' ye that, ' Smiler,' my man," said the Doctor,
suddenly closing his umbrella, and bringing it do^^^l on
the head of his refractory steed with a force that made
it fly in splinters. The amiable ' Smiler' acknowledged
the favour by a sulky grunt, and a sidelong kick with
one hind leg, after the manner of a vicious cow.

" Hit him again. Doctor — hit him hard — don't be
afraid of hurting him — liis skull is thick enough ;" and
the two young men inibbed their hands, and shouted
with glee at the prospect of witnessing a well-contested
engagement between the Doctor and the pig-headed
' Smiler.'

" Here, my man, give us a lend o' that stick," cried
the Doctor, throwing away his broken umbrella, and
snatching a heavy male bamboo from one of the Coolies

Whack ! down it came upon ' Smiler's' lean flank,

making the empty cai'cass sound like a kettle-drum.

The additional weight of metal told ; and, this time,
' Smiler' exerted himself so far as to kick both heels in
the air, with a jerk that somewhat discomposed the
Doctor's seat.

" Dee'l 1)6 in my skin, but I '11 ca' the life out o' ye,

l40 THE OLD FOKEST RANGER.

ye door dee vie," muttered the Doctor, as he once more
brandished the bamboo over his head, " 'Od, ye '11 try
to gang ye'r ain gait, though the Dee'l himseP should
girn in ye'r face ;" — Whack. " If ye war dro%Mied, — and
Dee'l may care how soon ye come to that, — I '11 wad a
sixpence, it 's up the water a body wad need to gang, to
look for the ill-faurt carcage o' you. There, tak' that,
ye thra\Mi dee vie," and the bamboo descended between
' Smiler"'s "* ears, inflicting a blow that would have felled
any other horse to the ground. But it only seemed to
rouse the dormant energies of that proud-spirited steed :
his wall-eye flashed fire, he snorted indignantly ; and,
rearing upon his hind-legs, made a desperate plunge
forward.

This unwonted feat of activity, on the part of 'Smiler,'
completely unshipped the Doctor, who was pitched clean
out of the saddle ; but, determined to regain his seat, if
possible, he remained clinging with his long legs entwined
round the horse's neck, and holding on vigorously by the
ears. The Doctor made a desperate effort to right
himself; for one moment the victory appeared doubtful ;
and the spectators watched the issue of the struggle
with breathless impatience; — He''s up again: — No! —
that last kick has turned the scale of victory, and the
discomfited Doctor lies sprawling in the dust.

"Are you hurt?" said Charles, running up to him,
and kindly assisting him to rise ; for he was really sorry
for the poor Doctor, although he could not help laughing
till the tears ran down his cheeks — no one ever can on
such an occasion ; — " I hope you are not the worse for
your fall."

THE HrXTEu's CAMP. 1 41

" Deevle a bit," cried the Doctor, jumping up and
wiping the blood from his nose, the bold outline of which
was a good deal disfigured by the fall — " deevle a bit —
he has flattened my neb a wee ; but, by my troth, I 'II
gar him rue the day he did it."

So saying, the Doctor grasped the reins ; sprang into
the saddle, with an agility quite surprising in one of his
ungainly make ; and plied the bamboo so vigorously
about the ears of his refractory steed, that the unfortu-
nate ' Smiler ' was glad, for peace-sake, to turn his head
the right way, and shamble off at his Ijest pace.

" Faith, ' Smiler,' my man, ye got the worst o"* that
tuilzie, I 'm thinkin," said the Doctor, tucking the bam-
boo under his arm, and smiling complacently, as he
refreshed himself after his labours with a huge pinch of
snuff.

CHAPTER IX.
A WET NIGHT UNDER CANVASS.

The sun has already set, and the short twiUght of
the tropics is fast darkening into night. An unnatural
silence pervades the forest. The close air of the woods
is more dense and oppressive than usual, and the heat
is almost suffocating.

Our three friends are seated in front of the principal
tent, smoking their cigars ; their hunting dresses have
been exchanged for that truly oriental dishabille of slip-
pers and musquito-trousers ; they appear languid and
oppressed by the unnatural heat of the atmosphere, and
their shirts are thrown open, to woo the passing zephyr,
as they sit smoking in profound silence. Even the dumb
animals appear to feel the overpowering influence of the
electric fluid with which the atmosphere is surcharged.
The horses, with drooping ears, hang listlessly over their
untasted food. The dozing bullocks have forgotten to
ruminate. The birds have already flown for shelter to
the densest thickets of the forest. And Nature awaits,
in silent awe, the coming storm,

" We are going to have a dirty night of it," said
Mansfield, after regarding the appearance of the sky for
some minutes.

A WET NIGHT UNDER CANVASS. 143

" Faith, you may say that," replied the Doctor, start-
ing from a half doze ; " and it is high time we were
getting the tents secured, else we shall hae them aboot
our lugs before day-light. Whare the deevil are a"* thae
lazy loons o' Lascars 1 they might hae tliocht of bushing
the tent-pegs afore this time. Od, the hale camp appears
to be in a dwam, kye, and horses, and a' — CIniprassee
holow ! " continued he, bestowing a kick on the ribs of
our friend Heels, who, rolled up in his cumbley, was
snoring right lustily between the walls of the tent.

" Ahha ! " muttered Heels, turning on his side, with a
grunt, and again snoring louder than ever.

" Chuprassee holow ! " with another kick, more
earnestly bestowed than the former.

" Sahib ! " cried Heels, sitting up and rubbing his
eyes.

" Chuprassee holow ! " roared the Doctor, shaking
Heels till he was thoroughly awake.

*' Ho, Sahib ! " yawned Heels, and, leisurely gather-
ing up his cumbley, he shuffled off to rouse the tent-
pitchers and Lascars.

In a few minutes a dozen busy hands were employed
in bushing the tent-pegs, digging trenches round the
tent, and taking all the necessary precautions to secure
the camp against the effects of a tropical thunder-
storm.

" What a fuss you old Indians make about a shower
of rain ! " remarked Charles, laughing as he watched
the eager haste with which the Lascars worked : " these
fellows remind me of a ship's crew shortening sail in a
hurry when a white squall is expected."

144 THE OLD FOREST RANGKn.

" And, with all their hurrj', they will not have done
their work much too soon either," replied Mansfield;
" for here it comes, with a vengeance. You will have a
fine opportunity now of seeing what an Indian shower
is, my lad. And if you have the luck to get a wet tent
blown about your ears to-night, which I think exceed-
ingly probable, you will recollect the ajipearance of a
thunder-cloud the next time you see it, 1 11 be bound."

As he said this, Charles felt a cold damp air come
stealing over his face. And now comes sweeping from
afar a low mysterious muttering sound, like the distant
roar of troubled waters. The atmosphere is suddenly
filled with that peculiar smell of newly-wet earth, which
is the sure forerunner of a tropical storm. Dry leaves,
bits of straw, and other light substances are caught up,
and whirled into air, with a quick spiral motion, as if by
the action of innumerable little whirlwinds, although, as
yet, not a breath of air is stirring. A dense mass of
inky clouds rises above the tree-tops, with a rapidity
that shows the mighty power of the tempest, by which it
is driven on, and the faint twilight is suddenly quenched
in the darkness of midnight. And now a bright flash of
livid fire shoots from out the gloomy mass, blasting the
spectators' sight with its unearthly splendour — and the
vault of heaven is rent asunder — and the Earth trem-
bles, as she listens with awe to the chiding voice of
angry thunder.

And hark ! — at that signal, the howling spirits of the
tempest have been loosed, and come sweeping through
the woods on a thousand whistling wings, rejoicing in their
strength : — and the forest bows low, and groans aloud

A WET NIGHT UNDEU CANVASS. 145

in agony, as the hurricane host sweeps by : — and the
aged trees toss abroad their gigantic limbs, and lash the
air with frantic gestures, as if in the madness of fear
they were striving to uproot themselves, and to flee
from the coming wTatli of the mighty Spirit that rides
upon the whirlwind : — and the rain descends in un-
broken sheets of water that appear to threaten the
earth with a second deluge : — and the crash of uprooted
trees is mingled with the awful pealing of the thunder : —
and the air is filled with wild unearthly sounds, as if
legions of evil spirits were mingling in the fray : — and
strange misshapen forms seem to flit amongst the trees,
revelling in the work of destruction, as the wild scene is
for an instant revealed to sight by the livid glare of
forked lightning, and again shrouded in more than raid-
night darkness.

" The whole universe must be tumbling into chaos,'"
was the idea which flashed across the mind of Charles
as he stood amidst the war of elements, and gazed in
stupified wonder.

Reader, if thou ai*t a lover of the sublime in nature —
if thou art anxious to be impressed with a due sense of
the Omnipotence of thy Creator — go, look upon the
tropical storm, as it sweeps howling through the wilder-
ness— and tremble, like Charles, at thine own insig-
nificance !

But the Doctor had been too long in India, and had
witnessed too many thunder-storms, to understand the
feeling which prompted Charles to gratify his love of the
sublime at the expense of his bodily comforts.

" Come in by," — cried he, from the interior of the

L

146 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

tent, where he had already snugly ensconced himself
behind the dinner-table. " Come in by, Maister Charles,
and dinna be standing there glowrin' frae you, like a
demented poet. The deeviFs in the laddy, has he gaen
daft a'thegither, or is he dazed by the thunner, or what's
gaen wrang wi' him, that he stands there in a pour of
rain that 's fit to wash the sark aff his back ? for a' the
world like a drooket craw on an auld fayle dyke, and him
ha 'in' a good dry tent at his back, and a prime haunch
of venison smoking on the table ; and the kettle blawin'
out steam like the boiler of a twa hundred horse-power
engine ; and that bonny bit bottle of real Glenlivat
smiling in his face, fit to seduce a vara Saunt. Hoot
fie ! — Come in by, ye poor demented cratur, and dinna
be catching your death o' cauld there. — Ye '11 be laid up
wi' jungle fever, the morn, as sure as my name 's Mc.
Phee — or may be ye '11 be blinded by the lightning, and
that would be a bonny-like story to tell to your winsome
cousin, Miss Kate, when we gang back to the Hills.
Come in by, my man, to ye'r denner, and never ye fash
yer thum' aboot the war o' the elements, as thae poor,
silly, half-starved, bits of poets ca' it : — just let them
She, and let them fecht it out their ain gate ; they '11 ca'
through fine, without'n your help ; and, whichever gets
the best o't, we are sure to hae a gran' day for the Deer-
shooting the morn. — Oh, man! but thafs prime juicy
meat," — continued he, licking his lips, and eyeing the
noble haunch, in which Mansfield had just made the
first cut — " A wee bit mair o'' the fat, if ye please. Cap-
tain, and another spoonfu' o' the jeely — ay, that '11 do
fine."

A WET XIGTIT I NDKR CA.VVASS. 147

And the Doctor, regardless of the storm which raged
without, fell to, with an earnestness of purpose that would
have done credit to the appetite of a half-starved Ogre.

" Well, Charles, my hoj, what think you of an Indian
shower now I " — asked Mansfield, as Charles entered the
tent, dripping like a River God : — " that is something
like a squall, is it not l — the breaking out of the mon-
soon, amongst the w'estern Ghats, is a sight worth
seeing, we flatter ourselves."

" It is indeed," — repUed Charles — "about the grand-
est sight I ever beheld. I have often heard it talked of
before, but never could have pictured to myself any thing-
half so sublime, so awful — it "

" Talking o' the grand works o' nature " — interrupted
the Doctor, with his mouth well filled, and keeping his
eyes steadily fixed on his plate, — " talking o' the grand
works of nature, Maister Charles, allow me to recom-
mend to your favourable notice that haunch o' venison ;
that 's what I ca' a grand specimin o' combined nature
and art, — a majestic hint quarter o' a maist sublime
Buck — and just roasted to the very minutest fraction
of a turn. — Another slice, if you please. Captain I "

" Faith you appear to think so, friend Mc.Phee, if one
may judge by the hole you have made in it already,"
replied Charles, pulling in a chair : — ^" ' By the beard of
the Prophet ! ' as my worthy Uncle would say, one must
needs look sharp when you come to close quarters with
a joint, else they arc like to have bare bones to pick.
Manners, you old cannibal, manners — why you don't

mean to say you want another slice already ! "

" Truth do I, Maister Charles — and what 's mair, I 'm

148 TTIE OLD FOREST RANGER.

no going to let you sit do^^^l to denner in that weet sark,
to get a fit o' the ague, and gie me the trouble o' makin'
you well again. — Xa, na ! — just gang in at ween the wa's
o' the tent, like a man, and put dry clothes on you, —
Heels has got them a' ready — and I '11 keep a prime bit
o' the venison for you ; I '11 no let the Captain eat it a ,
although he is such a deevle o' a twist. Captain, I '11
tak' a wee bit mair from you, just to keep you in coun-
tenance, for I see ye 'r no' done yet."

" Will you, by Jove ! — the devil 's in your maw. Doc-
tor,"— cried Charles, who, although perhaps a little
the worse for his pretty cousin's blue eyes, had not by
any means allowed his appetite to go the same way as
his heart, and off he bounded to change his wet clothes
with all convenient speed.

Charles having made a hearty dinner — for man's
powers are limited, and the Doctor, in spite of himself,
had been obliged to desist before he had more than half
finished the haimch — the cloth was removed, and a
bottle of claret, with the unusual accompaniments of
hot water, sugar, and a bottle of real Highland whisky,
were placed upon the table.

" Noo, then, lads," cried the Doctor, lighting a cigar,
and rubbing his hands with glee. "Noo, then, for a
cozie night, in spite of the wind and the rain. Heels,
ye black sinner, tie up the tent door, and keep the wind
out, it's enough to gie an alligator the lumbago."

" Hullo, Doctor ! — what 's all this?" exclaimed Mans-
field, in astonishment.

" Aha, lads ! — there 's something to warm the cockles
of your heart. I hae been sair stinted in my di'ink.

A W'KT MGUT UXnER CANVASS. 14!)

since I left the Hills, wi' you and your temperate habits.
Captain — and your lang- winded preaching about cool
heads, and steady hands : — that 's a' very weel for you
crack rifle shots, but it doesna"' agree wi' my constitu-
tion ; and, by my troth, I maun hae my ain way this
weet night. There 's a bottle o' the right sort, that
never paid sixpence to the Excise — bless it 's sonsie
wame ! — and hot water enough to plot a pig, and a' the
rest o' the materials ; and so, Captain, dear, just pitch
that sour trash o' claret to the dogs — fiech ! — it gar's
me grue to look at it — and mak' yourseP a good stiff
tumbler, like a man. Here 's ' The Lasses — God bless
them ! ' — I 'm sure you '11 drink that toast, Maister
Charles, if the ague has na got a grip o' you already,
and frozen the blood in your veins."

" Not, by any means, a bad move," replied jNIansfield
and Charles in a breath, as they filled their glasses, for
the night was really cold enough to make a little hot
stuff mighty palatable, at least between the canvass
walls of a wet tent. " Here 's your toast, with right
good will — ' The Lasses — God bless them ! "" "

" Weel done, Captain ! Od, I see ye mak' it gae an'
stiff, like mysel'. I dinna' misdoubt but what there 's
some o' the right stuff in you yet, ye mahogany-faced
auld sinner, in spite o' the puritanical look ye put on
whiles, when I propose takin' a second tumbler. T dare-
say noo. Captain," continued the Doctor, draining his
glass, and proceeding to replenish it, " I daresay ye
think I 'm mair given to drink than a professional man
like me ought to be, because I 'm, whiles, a wee funny
in my cups ; but I assure you. Sir, I 'm the maist tem-

150 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

perate man leevin', by ordinar. — Hout, Maister Charles,
man, tak' up your glass, you 'r far ahint. — It 's no' the
love o' drink, Sir ; no, no — your health. Captain : — it is
the conviviality o' the thing I enjoy — the conviviality,
Sir — no' the liquor, Ijy no manner of means. Did you
ever hear tell o' the man and his cow, Sir ? "

" No, never," replied Mansfield, smiling.

" Weel, then, Captain, I'll tell you the story, for it 's
a good illustration o' my subject. Hout, fie ! I have
drouned the miller. Just rax me the bottle, Maister
Charles, till I put in a wee drap mair o' the speerit.
Weel, gentlemen, as I was saying, about the man and
his cow. There was a cousin o' mine, by the name o'
Jock ^Ic.Phee, that was married on a sister o' the
Minister of our parish. And the Minister, honest man,
on the strength o' this, thought himsel' in duty bound
to take a special charge of my cousin Jock's morals :
for, although no' muckle waur than his neighbours,
Jock was a gae throughother cheel when he got a drap
in his head. So, ae day, after Jock had been at a
neighbour's wedding, and had gotten a glass o'er much,
the Minister yoket to, to flyte him about the drink, and
he was unco' hard upon poor Jock, and misca'd him
terrible ; and at last, says he, ' Just look at your cow
there, John,' says he — ' look at her, honest beast, she
gangs to the water, when she 's dry, and slokens her
thirst, and comes back, douce and sonsie, to the bjTe,
but she never drinks more than what does her good, or
makes a beast o' hersel', like some folk. And is na' it
a crying shame to see you, a Christian man, wi' a soul
to be saved, having less sense and discretion than the

A WET NIGHT UNDER CANVASS. 151

beasts that perish ? Are ye no' ashamed, Sir, to do the
like, and you Good-brother to a Minister l '

" ' Indeed, then, Sir, what you say is o'er true,' replied
Jock, scarting his lug, and looking a wee foolish ; ' but
it 's no' the love o' liquor, Sir, it 's the good company —
it 's the good company. Sir, and naething else that leads
me astray. There 's my cow, hummled Bess, as your
Honour says, a sonsie weel-conditioned beast, she tak's
her drink, and comes hame quiet and peaceable without
makin' a spectacle o' hersel'. But, O, Sir, if a neigh-
bour's cow was to come the other side o' the water, and
sit down on her hunkers, and say, ' Here's to ye, Bess !""
od, Sir, as true as death, she wad just sit and drink
there till she was blind fou! ! ' "

" Bravo, Doctor ! " shouted ^Mansfield, " a right good
story, and well told. You have earned your glass of
grog honestly to-night," and Mansfield and Charles
laughed till their sides ached.

" Haich ! haich! haich!" roared the Doctor, at the
same time helping himself to a little more of the moun-
tain dew. " Haich ! haich ! It aye gars me laugh when
I think o' poor Jock and the Minister. O, man ! but
this is grand stuff to cheer a body's heart, and gar his
tongue wag. — Here 's wishing speedy promotion to you.
Captain, and a good Wife to you, Maister Charles," —
and the Doctor winked his eye, with a maudlin expres-
sion, and tried to look knowing, as he buried his muzzle
in the tumbler.

"Now, Mansfield," said Charles, "it is your turn.
Suppose you fulfil the promise you made this morning,
and give us the particulars of the two extraordinary

152 THE OLD FOUEST RANGEK.

runs you had lately, on that wonderful little horse
Challenger."

" Riding down a Wolf and an Antelope, you mean ? "

" Exactly—"

" I shall do so with great pleasure, provided you
do not accuse me of boasting ; for I confess I am not
a little vain of Challenger's exploits. You are aware
that the feat of riding down an Antelope has always
been considered impracticable, and spearing a Wolf on
horseback, as next to an impossibility. — I have often
seen the experiment tried, but never knew it to succeed
before, except in one instance, when the Wolf happened
to be gorged with food. In my case, however, the Wolf
was as lank as a greyhound, — all I have ever heard of
the untiring gallop, and extraordinary bottom of these
animals, was equalled by this one, — and nothing but the
condition, and high blood of my horse, carried him
through so severe a run. — I was riding out one evening,
for exercise, carrying a spear in my hand, as usual, when
I suddenly came upon a large male ^Volf. Challenger
being in the highest possible condition, and very fresh, I
thought a gallop would do him good, and accordingly
laid in to the Wolf, rather for the sake of having some
object in view, than with any idea of riding him down.
However, after a gallop of a mile both horse and rider
became interested in the chase. — I remembered that
Challenger had never yet met his equal in the hunting
field — his blood was now fairly up — and, on the impulse
of the moment, I resolved to let him try his metal
against the gaunt long-legged devil, who was going along
before me at an easy lobbing gallop, which, without any

A WET NIGHT UNDER CANVAs:S. 153

apparent exertion on his part, kept my horse pretty
nearly at the top of his speed. I now laid in to him in
earnest, over a fine open piece of country, easy to cross,
except where it was occasionally cut up by nullahs.
For the first hour the Wolf kept up the same pace, a
long lobbing gallop, without exhibiting any 8}Tnptoms of
fatigue, — but after that he began to run short, twisting
and turning, to throw me out — stopping in the bottom
of nullahs, till I had jumped over, and then returning as
he had come — and practising all sorts of cunning tricks
to shake me off. A\"hen the horse was at his haunches,
he would suddenly throw himself flat on the ground, and
allow me to pass, thus gaining ground before I could
turn ; and as a last resource, when his dry tongue, white
with foam, was hanging from his parched jaws, he took
to the water in a tank, where I speared him to death.
He was fairly done — so dead beat that he could not even
bite the bamboo when the spear was driven through his
body. The chase lasted for two hours and five minutes,
— a pretty good trial of wind and bottom, you will allow.
I had dismounted, and was standing at my horse's side,
loosening the girths, when he suddenly began to snort
and tremble, as if alarmed at something on the edge cf
the tank. I looked over his back to see what it was,
when, to my astonishment, I observed the hund, or em-
bankment, lined with Wolves, sitting on their haunches,
and watching my proceedings, whilst others were hurraing
to the spot from all quarters. Where they came from
I cannot conceive, for I had not observed one during the
run. The sun having set, and the Wolves appearing
rather pugnacious, I thought it prudent to decamp be-

154 THE OLD FOREST HAN'GEK.

fore they came to extremities ; so mounted and rode off,
leaving them masters of the field. They followed for
some distance, but did not attempt to attack me, and I
got home, sometime in the course of the night, without
further adventure."

" And was not poor Challenger the worse for his tre-
mendous gallop l " — asked Charles.

" Not a bit. — He fed well, and appeared as fresh as
ever next morning. It was the spurt after the Ante-
lope that so nearly killed him — I did not think he would
ever get the better of that day's work."

" Come, let 's have the Antelope," — exclaimed Charles,
drawing his chair closer to that of Mansfield.

" Here 's your health and sang. Captain," miu*-
mured the Doctor, rousing himself from a nap, and
replenishing his glass — " Was it a sang, or a story? —
I 'm no very sure — but never mind, it 's a' the same in
Greek."

" Thank you, Doctor — your good health ! " replied
Mansfield smiling. And the Doctor, taking a long pull
at the whisky punch, relapsed into his dozing fit.

"It was some days after my adventure with the
Wolf," — continued Mansfield — " and whilst I was still
flushed with victory, that I determined upon attempting
the still more difficult task of riding do mi an Antelope.

" I sallied forth to the black plain, little Challenger
arching his neck proudly, and bounding under me in
the exuberance of his spirit. It was in a very different
mood that he returned, poor fellow. — I soon found a
fine solitary black Buck ; and laid in to him while he
was concealed by a rising ground — thus gaining a long

A WET NIGHT UNDER CANVASS. 155

way, before he heard the clatter of hoofs, and went his
best. The ground was beautiful, and we flew across the
plain at racing speed. But, for the first mile, this was
not fast enough to press the Buck, — bounding along
before mc, like some winged creature, whilst the horse,
straining every nerve, could hardly keep him in sight.
Occasionally some Labourer, in a cotton field, made the
Antelope swerve from his line, and then, by cutting off
an angle, I was enabled to gain a little ; — yet a few
dashing bounds, as I approached, sent him further off
than ever. These exertions, however, began to tell at
last — he ran shorter, and appeared undecided as to his
line of country — advantages for the pursuer which I
seized on at every turn — and, by pressing him to do his
utmost over stony ground, I found that his strength was
getting gradually reduced. Challenger was still going
collected, and I nursed his remaining powers with
anxious care, giving him a sob, with a hard pull at his
head, whenever we crossed a field of black soil.

" We had now gone, as the crow flies, seven miles, and
the Buck was getting weaker every moment. We came
in sight of a distant herd, feeding on the top of a small
hill. This appeared to give him fresh courage, and he
exerted himself to reach them with renewed speed. It
was the flickering of the flame ere it expires — I knew
the s}inptoms well — his tail began to shake — he can-ied
his head low — and instead of bounding forward, and
covering his stretch, he appeared to fall shorter at every
stroke. The hill was gained — now, my good little horse,
press him and he dies! — It was as I expected. The
steep ascent choked the panting Antelope, and he

156 THE OLD rOKEST RANGKR.

dropped, completely exhausted, ten paces in front, at
the very moment that poor little Challenger came to a
dead halt, reeling under me with fatigue. Having dis-
mounted, and put the Antelope out of pain with my
hunting knife, Challenger became the object of my care,
and I must confess his appearance rather frightened
me — flanks heaving — forelegs tottering — tail quivering
— and every symptom of extreme distress. I turned
his head to the wind, and loosened his girths. He lay
dowai by the fallen Buck — and then I cursed my cruelty,
in pressing the noble spirit of my game little Arab, till
he sank at my feet. But I cannot pull up when once in
chase.

" The hope of running into my game, at every stride,
and the fear of losing, what a few hundred yards further
might gain, always prevents my giving in, while a chance
remains. I feel an indescribable longing to come up
with any animal — even a hare — if once I have laid in
to him, and reflection and remorse come only when it is
too late. This time, however, I had not to reproach
myself with riding poor Challenger to death. He
gi-adually recovered, — in half an hour he was able to
walk home, where you may be sure he was well taken
care of — and in a few days was as fresh as ever. The
distance ridden was nine miles, in a direct line, without
including turns. And, if it be the pace that kills, this
was far enough and fast enough to burst anything that
ever was foaled. I need not say how much the gallant
little horse has risen in my estimation since that day*'s
work — I would not part with him for his weight in gold !

" And now, Master Charles, having complied with your

A AVET Mr.HT UNDER CANVASS. 157

request, and performed the part of my own — or rather
my horse's — trumpeter, methinks we had better turn
in ; for I perceive our friend Mc.Phee is waxing drowsy,
and I intend to sound the reveillie by times to-morrow —
what say you, Doctor ? "

" Hoot fie, no ! " replied the Doctor, who was fast
verging towards a state of inebriation. " It 's but early
in the night yet. Wha cares for hours ? — hours were
made for slaves ! — Hurra ! Na, na ! Sit ye down, lads —
sit ye down, and I '11 sing you a sang — a sang wi' a
grand chorus til 't ; and mind, ye mami a' join in when
I tell you. Whisht, noo ! "" and the Doctor, forthwith,
cleared liis pipes, and struck up, in a voice that rivalled
the howling of the wind without —

" ' O Willie brew'd a peck o' maut.
And Rab and Allan cam to pree ;
Three blither hearts, that lee-lang night.
Ye wadna' find in Christendee.'

" Chorus, now, lads !

" * For, we are na' fou, we 're no' that fou ;
But just a drappie in our e'e ;
The cock may craw, the day may daw.
But we will taste the barley bree.'

" Ploot ! Maister Charles, sing up, man — dinna be
blate !

" * Here are we met, three merry boys —
Three merry boys, I trow are we ;
And many a night ' "

Here the Doctor's melody was interrupted by a gust
of wind, more furious than the rest, which tore uj)
several of the tent-pegs, and made the loosened canvass

158 THE OLD FOHKST RANGER.

flap violently. — ISIansfield and Charles jumped from their
seats,

"Hoot, fie! never mind the wind, lads ; there's nae
danger," — exclaimed the Doctor, who had now become
exceedingly pot-valiant, and had no idea of being in-
terrupted in his song by any such trifle : — " Heels, ye'
lazy deevle ; gang and drive in thae tent-pegs, will you ?
— Where was I again — eh? — I dinna mind. Weel,
never heed, we 'U just begin at the beginning, that 's
the surest way no' to lose any o't.

" ' O Willie brew'd ' "

But, before the first line was finished, crash came the
tent-pole right across the table, demolishing candles,
bottles, and glasses ; and our unfortunate revellers found
themselves grovelling on the earth, in utter darkness,
and more than half smothered in the wet folds of the
tent ; whilst the loosened ropes, with the tent-pegs still
attached to them, flapped, and whistled, and banged
about their ears, threatening to fracture their skulls,
if they were fortunate enough to escape suffocation.

" The Lord preserve us frae a' Bogles and Warri-
cowes, and other mischancy things ! " — roared the
Doctor, who, half stupified by what he had drank, and
completely deprived of his little remaining sense by the
suddenness of the catastrophe, could not, by any means,
account for his present very uncomfortable situation. —
" The Lord preserve us, what 's a' this ? — What 's this ?
— what ''s this 1 It 's surely a judgment come upon me
for drinkin' illicit whisky and singin' profane sangs. O
dear ! O dear ! O meeserable sinner that I am, 1 11 surely

A WET Nir,IIT L'XPKR CANVASS. 159

get my paiks noo, for I verily believe that Auld Clootie
himsel', and a' his imps, are playing their cantraips upon
me. Will nae charitable Christian lend a hand to get
out o' this damnable brulziement I — the Lord forgie me
for sweerin'. — O, JSIaister Charles ! O, Heels, ye black-
a-vic'd Pagan! Oh! oh! oh!'" — and the unfortunate
Doctor roared aloud, in agony of spirit, as he scrambled
about, amongst the broken fragments of bottles and
glasses, and entangled himself more and more amongst
the complicated folds of wet canvass in which he was
enveloped.

Mansfield and Charles, who had their wits about
them, had already scrambled clear of the wreck, but
were so convulsed with laughter, that, for some minutes,
they were incapable of rendering any aid to the mise-
rable Doctor, who continued to struggle, and howl, and
pant for breath, like a dog tied up in a wet sack.

At length, however, with the assistance of the Las-
cars, he was extricated from the ruins of the tent, and
stood, shivering and stupified, in the pelting rain.

" Preserve me ! but this is an awfu' nicht," — muttered
he to himself, when he had partially recovered his senses
— " There \s something no cannie in 't, I 'm thinkin'.
I '11 awa to my bed — And the bottle 0' Glenlivat no
finished — and me in the middle o' my very best sang —

and — and — and Ou ay, I see how it is — I see fine

how it is — it 's just a judgment on me for drinkin' illicit
whisky and singin' profane sangs, — poor sinfu' creature
that I am ! But, thanks be to Goodness, I 'm no fou —
Na, na ! I 'm no fou — I ken the road to my tent fine."
And so the Doctor continued to soliloquize, as he reeled

160 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

about in his vain endeavours to steer a direct course to
his own tent.

" By mine honour, friend Mc.Phee, thou art thankful
for small mercies," cried Mansfield, laughing immo-
derately at the worthy Doctor's expression of thank-
fulness for not being fou.

" But there 's surely something gaen wrang wi' my
legs the nicht — I maun hae hurted them some way in
yon stramash. Here, Heels, my man, gie us a hand o'
your airm, for I 'm sair hurted, and no fit to gang my
lane. Hand up, ye stammerin' deevle," cried he, clutch-
ing the grinning varlet by the shoulder. " Can ye no
walk steady, you mislear'd Pagan? Hand up, I say.
Ye 've been drinkin', Sir — ye 've been drinkin' — ye
need na try to deceive me — I ken it fine by the way ye
walk — ye Ve been drinkin', ye besotted beast. I 'U
report you to your maister in the morning, and gar him
gie you a good thrashing. I — I — I wonder, Sir, ye Ve
no ashamed to make sic a spectacle o' yoursel' and me
in the face o' the hale camp. It 's dis — dis — dis — re-
putable. Heels — it 's highly disreputable. If there ""s
a vice on earth. Heels, that I dislike mair than anither,
it 's drunk — drunk — drunkenness ! " And here the
Doctor's voice became inaudible, as he pursued his tor-
tuous course towards his sleeping tent.

We are, reluctantly, obliged to confess that our
worthy and much respected friend, Mc.Phee, was drunk
— ^not exactly drunk according to the definition given
by an Irish friend of ours, who said that he always
considered a man sober till he saw him trying to light
his pipe at the ■pump — The Doctor was not quite so

A WET XIGIIT UNDER CANVASS, 1 Gl

far gone as this — But that he was considerably dis-
guised in liquor we have not the conscience to deny.

Reader, hast thou ever, in the course of thy travels,
witnessed the breaking-up of a tropical thunder-storm
at the approach of day — \^hen the eastern sky is streaked
with purple and gold, and the heavens, in that quarter,
are cloudless to the zenith, and studded with fading
stars, winking as if exhausted by their long night's
vigil. — And the cool, balmy, morning air, kisses thy
bronzed cheek like a smiling infant just awakened from
sleep. — And the tempest-torn trees, loaded with spark-
ling rain-drops, like frightened women smiling through
their tears, sigh forth their gratitude to the rising sun,
at whose glorious presence the gloomy spirit of the storm
unwillingly retires — his sable host, as they roll away,
slow and majestic, into the far west, growling forth
their indignation in muttered thunder. — And the re-
freshed earth sends up a grateful incense to Heaven. —
And the timid birds who have all night long cowered,
trembling, amidst the gloomy recesses of the forest,
come forth singing their morning-hymn of thanksgiving
— and the jungle-cock, like a blustering bully, struts
amongst his admiring females, crowing defiance — and,
on the naked branches of some blasted tree, at the edge
of the forest, a family of \'ultures, like a hoard of wander-
ing gipsies drying their rags, sit, with drooping wings,
preparing to bask themselves in the grateful sunshine —
their high shoulders, downcast look, and ruffled plumage
giving them, at once, an air of poverty, cunning, and
abject humility — and, from out the bosky thickets of
feather}' bamboo, comes, stealing on the ear, the gentle

M

162 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

cooing of the turtle-dove, as he pours forth his very
soul in amorous vows of love and constancy. — And the
air is filled with joyous insects, and gaudy-coloured but-
terflies, which have been suddenly called into life by
the electric fluid — and even the creeping things appear
to claim their share of enjo}iiient — and Nature smiles
as she looks upon the happiness of her children ?

It was on such a glorious morning as this, after a
wet nighty in every sense of the word, that the cheerful
notes of Mansfield's bugle roused the poor Doctor from
feverish sleep and troubled dreams, to the humiliating
consciousness of having made a beast of himself. What
a sad contrast does his flushed cheek, and parched lips,
and fevered blood, present to the cool, fresh, smiling
face of Nature !

Oh man ! proud man ! thou who wert formed in
God''s own image, how hast thou degraded thyself by
the sensual gratification of thy appetites !

But, of this day's adventures, anon.

CHAPTER X.
AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE.

" I BELIEVE it wasna' the real Glenlivat, after a\"
exclaimed the Doctor, as he sallied from his tent with
the feeble and undecided step and nervous tremor of a
man who has just been roused from a drunken slumber.
" I believe it wasna' the real Glenlivat, after a', for I
hae a deevle o' a sare head after it this morning. Good
morrow to ye, lads," continued he, addi'essing Mansfield
and Charles, who, with their rifles ready loaded, were
lounging in front of the tents and sipping their coffee.
" This is a grand fresh morning after the rain."

" Ah ! good morrow to you. Doctor," exclaimed
Mansfield, smiling. " Glad to see you so alert. Talking
of freshness^ it strikes me you were tolerably fresh last
night. How do you feel this morning ? coppers rather
hot— eh?"

" Hoot, fie !" replied the Doctor, looking half ashamed
and half pawky — for we must do the poor Doctor the
justice to say that he was not by any means a hardened
sinner, nor habitually addicted to the use of strong
waters, although, when the temptation ofifered of a bottle
of Glenlivat, and a neighbour's cow sitting on the other
side of the water, to cry, " Here 's to you, Meg," he
sometimes indulged a little more freely than was good

164 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

for him. " Hoot, fie, Captain, keep your thumb upon
that — keep your thumb upon that. Od's my Hfe, if
auld Lorimer gats a baud o' that story, to say nothing
g"" Miss Kate, I '11 never hear the last o't. I maun con-
fess I 'm no just mysel' this morning. But I 'm thinkin'
the whisky wasna' as good as it ought to hae been, for
we didna' take such a dooms big drink, after a' ; the
bottle wasna' finished, if I mind right."

" Is not this a glorious change from the storm of last
night?" remarked Charles, good-naturedly trying to
turn the conversation, for he saw that Mansfield was
bent upon bullying the poor Doctor, who, although he
tried to put the best face he could upon the matter, was
evidently ashamed of himself. " Who that looks now
upon the smiling face of Natm-e would believe her capable
of giving way to such ungovernable bursts of fury as the
one she favoured us with last night ?"

"Like a spoilt beauty," remarked Mansfield, "who
goes to bed in a towering rage because she fancies her
charms have been slighted, cries herself to sleep, and
awakes next morning, all smiles, to laugh at her own
folly, and to be more admired than ever."

" Or like a bairn on a Sabath morning," suggested
the Doctor, " who, after having his face weel scrubbit
wi' brown sape and a rough tawel, and alarming the hale
house wi' his eldritch skirling, begins to nicher and
laugh at the sight o' his new corduroy breeks wi' plenty
o' brass buttons on them — they 'r may be his first — and
fairly burst out into a hearty guffaw, when he keeks at
his ain shining red face and weel sleekit hair in a cogfu
o' clean water. You see. Dame Nature has been taking

AX EVENTFUI, DAY IN THE JL XGLE. 1 (io

a sly keek at hersel' this morning in the water down-by,
and in spite o' hersel' she canna' but smile, through her
tears, at the sight o' her ain bonny weel-washed face."

" Bravo, Doctor ! quite poetical, I declare ; the Glen-
livat has inspired you. But we must not stand talking
here, the sun is already up : we should have been oflP
long ago, only we thought you intended to accompany
us to-day, as it is the last we shall be able to spend in
the forest."

"And so I do intend to gang wi' you. What the
deevle else do you think would trail me out o' my warm
bed at this unchristian-like hour o' the morning ? But,
that 's true, I hae forgotten my weapon. Here, Heels,
my man, just run into the tent, and bring out my fusee,
auld ' Mons Meg,' and the bag o' swanshot ye '11 find
lying aside her."

" Why, my dear Doctor," exclaimed Mansfield, regard-
ing, with a smile, the worthy Doctor's very unsportsman-
like dress, consisting of his eternal broad-brimmed hat,
and an old red jacket, which, on the strength of a damp
morning, he had substituted for his usual one of dirty
white jean. " Why, you don't mean to say you intend to
take the field in such a dress as that ? You look, to use
one of your own expressions, 'exactly like a potato bogle ; '
you are enough to scare all the game within a mile of
you, and, if we fall in with a herd of Bison, the Lord have
mercy on your miserable carcase ! — they '11 hunt you to
the world's end. And there you are again, with that
infernal fusee, and your handful of grit-shot. O Doctor !
Doctor ! will you never learn to handle a rifle like a man ? I
wish we had the old Governor here to keep you in order."

166 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" By my troth, he keepit me in order enough when I
was on the Hills, and a bony-like job he gart me make
o't, wi' his lang-winded lectures about projectiles, and
parabolic curves, and sights, and elevations, and friction,
and attraction, and deevle kens how many mair jaw-
breaking terms. Na, na, nane o' your confoimded lec-
tures on natural philosophy, nane o' your new-fangled
pernickety weapons for me. A good wide-bored fusee,
like ' Mons Meg,' for my money — ane that lets a crack
like a six-pounder, and spreads the lead the breadth o' a
barn-door ; — that is the weapon for real execution, and
sae ye '11 see afore the day 's done,"" continued the Doc-
tor, as he rammed down a huge fid of brown paper by
way of wadding, returned the ramrod, and carefully
hammered the well-worn flint with a key which he took
from his pocket. " I '11 warrant the auld jade no' to
miss fire this time, and, my certie, it 's no' for want of
pouther and lead, if she doesna' do execution."

" Faith, you may say that," replied Mansfield, much
amused at the Doctor's warlike demonstrations. " If
your shot fails it will not be for want of ammunition, you
may take your oath. You have given the old jade, as
you call her, a sufficient dose of that, and I have no
hesitation in predicting that she will do execution, but
whether on the carcase of the Deer, or the head of her
confiding master, appears to me exceedingly problem-
atical. I suspect you will find her somewhat like your
friend ' Smiler,' when overcharged with Bengal gram, as
she is with powder, rather prone to kick up her heels,
and apt to give her master a bloody nose."
" Weel, wee), never ye fash your thumb about that.

AX KVEXTIIL DAY IN THE JUXGLE. 167

Captain ; but show me the Deer, and, I 'll be cation, ye
dinna want for a haunch of venison the morn to your
dinner. Where 's that deevle's-bucky the Jemmadar ?
Stir your stumps, ye auld Pagan, the sun has been up
this half-hour." So saying, the Doctor shouldered
Mons Meg wdth a confident air, and strode off, whis-
tling " Johny Cope " right lustily.

Our friends had proceeded some distance into the
jungle, the Jemmadar leading, as usual, and our tlu'ee
Sportsmen following his steps in single file, when Charles,
who was the last of the party, happened to spy the head
and antlers of a noble spotted Buck, about a hundred
yards from their path, cautiously peering over a thick
patch of high grass which they had just passed.

The fact of his having made this discovery, after the
IjTix-eyed Kamah had passed it unobserved, was of it-
self a great triumph to the ambitious young Sportsman,
and his heart palpitated with anxiety as he halted and
silently raised his rifle, for he felt that his character
was at stake. Resting the barrel against the stem of a
tree, the fine-drawn sight was brought to bear upon the
glittering eye of his victim — for one instant the pon-
derous rifle remained as steady as if fixed in a vice —
light as the delicate touch of a lady was the gradual
pressure of the fore-finger on the finely-balanced trigger.
Bravely done, my young Forest Ranger, there must be
death in that shot. The sharp crack of the rifle makes
the woods ring, the ragged bullet speeds hissing through
the air, and the antlered head disappears amongst the
long grass as if by magic — Huri-a !

Cliarles had already pulled off" his cap, and opened his

168 THE OLD FOREdT RANGER.

lips to give the death halloo with due emphasis, when a
whole herd of Deer burst from the thicket of long grass,
headed, apparently, by the very Buck at which he had
fired, and dashed across the path with the speed of
lightning.

" Deuce take the rifle ! " exclaimed Charles, pettishly,
dashing his cap to the ground, and, in the excitement of
the moment, quite forgetting that his rifle had a second
barrel which might still do execution.

Mansfield, although taken by surprise, turned on his
heel ^^^th the coolness of an old Sportsman, and pitched
forward his heavy rifle, the piece exploding at the very
instant it dropped steadily into the hollow of his hand —
so tioily did hand and eye act in concert — and the lead-
ing Buck, bounding convulsively from the ground, fell
heavily forward : without removing the rifle from his
shoulder, the deadly weapon was brought to bear upon
another of the herd, and the second barrel was dis-
charged as rapidly as the first. The soft thud of the
bullet announced that it had taken efiect, and a fat Doe
stumbled to her knees, but immediately recovering her-
self, disappeared amongst the jungle with her companions.

" We shall have blood upon that trail," said Mans-
field, quietly, as he dropped the butt-end of his rifle to
the ground, and proceeded to reload it with great com-
posm-e. " But what on earth is the matter with you I "
continued he, turning round and discovering the Doctor
squatting on the ground, and holding a pocket handker-
chief to his nose, which was bleeding profusely. " I
thought old Meg made more noise than usual. I hope
she has not burst ? "

AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE. 169

" Na, na ! " replied the Doctor ; " there 's nae fear o'
her burstin' : but, O man, she 's just a perfect deevle to
kick. Od's my Ufa, she dang me heels over head like a
kale-runt ; ane might as weel hae gotten a kick frae a
coach-horse. But how mony o' the Deer is do\Mi ? I '11
warrant she made a grand stramash amang them, for
she spreads the lead fine, by ordinar."

" Why, I believe there is but one dovm, this round,"
rephed Mansfield ; " and I think you will find he bears
my mark. But, as I predicted, Mons Meg has done
some execution. Your nose, Doctor, will vouch for her
powers, in one way ; and here is an imfortunate young
tree which she has doomed to a premature death, by
blowing away more than half the trunk. By my faith,
you may well say that such a charge o' grit-shot would
have made a fine stramash, if it had gone in the right
direction. But never mind. Doctor, better luck next
time ; so get up, and give old Meg another chance."

" Od, man, I maun confess that yon was an awfu'
gleed shot," said the Doctor, scratching his head, and
regarding the shattered sapling with a comical grin, as
he still sat, wiping the blood from his nose. " I begin
to think, Captain, I 'm no just that good wi' the gun
either. It maun be my ain faut, for I ken Meg aye kills,
if she 's handen straight. The fact o' the matter is,
there was a pretty man spoilt, when they made a Doctor
o' me, as the auld Heeland Carle said to his son."

" What is the story of the Highlander and his son ? "
asked Charles, who was always delighted to catch the
Doctor in a storj-telling humour.

I '11 tell you that, Maister Charles," replied the

170 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Doctor, as he proceeded to charge Mons Meg with a
more moderate allowance of powder. " There was, ance,
a grim auld Carle, lived in the Isle of Mull, and he had
tliree sons. The two eldest were awfu"" big, strong-made
cheels, in fact, perfect giants, and deevles for fechtin.
But the youngest, who was of ordinary stature, and,
consequently, looked do\\Ti apon as a dwarf in his own
family, was a quiet, peaceable lad, and mair given to his
books, than the use of the dirk or the claymore. And
so, the auld Carle, who despised everything in the shape
o' book-learning, and considered fighting and cattle lift-
ing to be the chief end o' man, determined to bring him
up for the Church, because, as he said, he wasna' fit for
anything better. Weel, ae day, when the young lad was
sitting at his books, and the two auld anes were up
amang the hills, looking for a Deer, a neighbour's Bull,
an imco cross-tempered beast, happened to stray into
the Good-man's bit of arable land, and, when he noticed
him, he was just dancing mad, for he was gae short in
the temper, at any rate, and he roars out to his son, who
was ben the house, reading his books, ' Get up,' says he,
' ye saft sumph, throw by thae trash o' books, and gang
and turn that Bull out o' the corn, do you no' see he ""s
makin a perfect hash o't ? ' So the lad he throws by his
book, and grips his staff, and runs out fou gleg to turn
the Bull. But the Bull was a dour deevle, and wadna"*
thole to be thwarted ; and so, when he seed the lad
coming at him, wi' the staff in his hand, to drive him
out o' the corn, he sets up a roar, and at him like mad.
But the douce canie lad, wi' a' his book-learning, had a
stout heart o' his ain, when he was put upon his metal.

A?,' EVF.XTFUL DAY IN" THE JUNGLE. 171

And, instead o' fleein', as the auld Carle his father ex-
pected, he stood up manfully, and watched the motions
o' the Bull wi' an eye like a gled ; and just as the beast
was at the stickin' o' him, he jinket to ae side, as souple
as a wild cat, and grippit him by the horn, and gied him
a twist that cowpet him on his back, as though he had
been a year-auld stirk, and then he yoket to, wi' the
staff he had in his hand, and, by my troth, he laid on,
wi' such good will, that the Bull was fain to gather
hiraser up, and run for it. And the auld Carle, who
had been standing at the door, watching him, was just
astonished and delighted to see so much of the man in
his yoimgest son, whom he always considered a poor,
soft, useless sumph — and he runs to meet him, wi' the
tear in his ee', and throws his amis about his neck, and
cries out, in Gaelic, ' Ochon ! ochon ! it was me that
spoilt the pretty man when I set you to turning the
leaves, instead of handling the claymore.' "

" Come, Doctor," cried ^lansfield, " we have no time
to listen to your old stories, just now ; you must keep
them for after dinner. And you, ISIaster Charles, are a
pretty fellow for a Sportsman, to stand gossiping there,
instead of breaking up your Deer. Recollect, we are
like to have a long, and a hot chase after the wounded
Doe, before we get her ; and get her we must, before
we do anything else ; for I consider it a most unsports-
man-like proceeding, to look for fresh game, as long as
one has a bloody trail to follow."

" My Deer ! " exclaimed Charles, in astonishment.
" Why, that was my Buck that you killed. I ought to
have killed him, T grant you, for I never took a steadier

172 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

aim in my life ; but the leading Buck, which you
dropped, at the first shot, is the one I fired at — I can
swear to his horns."

" Why, my dear boy," exclaimed Mansfield, laughing,
" do you suppose there is but one Buck in the forest
with such a head ? I can swear you killed him, although
my back was turned at the time, and hit him in the
head too. There is no mistaking the crashing sound of
a bullet when it strikes upon bone, and so you will dis-
cover, when you have had a little more experience. Just
go and look at the spot where you fired at him, and if
you do not find the Buck, with an ounce of lead in his
skull, then do I renounce all claim to knowledge in
woodcraft."

Charles, without answering a word, dashed into the
long grass, with the eagerness of a young hound, and
his shout of triumph, as he stumbled over the carcase
of the Buck, announced that he had not been dis-
appointed.

" Od, man, but that's the best beast I 've seen this
rnony a day ! " exclaimed the Doctor, feeling the well-
covered ribs of the Deer, with the scientific touch of a
Highland drover, and admiring the depth of fat on the
brisket, as the Jemmadar proceeded in the operation of
cutting up the animal, "he's as fat as a four-year-old
wether."

"Just like you, Doctor," cried Mansfield, "always
thinking of that ungodly maw of yours, which, Heaven
knows, would be ill enough supplied, if Mons Meg were
the only caterer to its wants. Look at the head, man,
instead of feasting your eyes on the fat morsels. There

AX EVENTFUL DAY IX THE JUXGLE. 173

is a shot worthy of the best Shikaree in the country ; a
ball right through his eye at full a hundred yards. If I
could only get you to handle a rifle, and make such a
shot as that, I should have some hopes of you."

" Troth, then, it 's no' an ill shot," replied the Doctor;
" the laddy has a quick eye, and a steady hand, and if
you dinna look sharp, Captain, he '11 be fit to brag you
at your ain weapon, afore you 'r a month older. But as
to Mons Meg, she's a good auld trusty servant, and I'm
no' goin' to part wi' her, for a' that 's come and gane
yet, so ye may just let that flea stick to the wa'.""

" Well, well, Doctor, so be it — I see you are utterly
incorrigible; andnowto find the woimded Doe. Charles,
my boy, do you take the lead, and let us see how you
can follow up a trail. Here is the spot where she made
the first stumble, and you may see by the manner in
which the blood has spouted, that there is some large
vein cut. The poor beast cannot have rim far in that
state — Forward ! "

Charles, proud of being intrusted with the important
office of tracker, started off" at a round pace ; the large
drops of blood which marked the course of the poor
animal rendering the task a sufficiently easy one ; whilst
the Jemmadar, who considered so conspicuous a trail as
quite unworthy of his talents, followed in rear of the
party, occa.sionally breaking a small twig, or tying a
knot in the long grass, to serve as landmarks to guide
him on his return, to fetch home the venison which had
been left behind.

In this manner the trail was followed for upwards of
a mile, through tangled ma.sses of bamboo, and Tigrish-

174" THE OLD FOREST RANdER.

looking patches of long grass, which reached far above
their heads, and where the skulls and half-picked bones
of Deer showed that the tjTant of the forest had occa-
sionally selected them for his lair.. But Charles was too
much excited by the chase to think of danger, and per-
severed in a direct course, regardless of the poor Doctor,
who remonstrated loudly against tempting Providence
by venturing into such mischancy-looking places; and
more than once started, and changed colour, as the
rustling of a lizard amongst the long grass, or the me-
lancholy howl of a gray monkey, " frightened him out
of his propriety."

" Oh, Captain Mansfield ! " exclaimed he at last — " I
wish you would speak to that daft laddy, and no' let him
trail us ony fm-ther, through such a\vfu like places — it 's
just a perfect tempting o' Providence. — I tell you, Sir,
w^e 'U be made Tiger's meat o' before we get out — I see
their tracks here, back and forret, as thick as rabbits
in a warren. Od, Sir, it 's surely an unchristian-like
act to gar a decent body risk his precious life in such
uncannie bits as this, for the sake o' a wounded Deer."

" Forward ! forward ! " shouted Mansfield, turning a
deaf ear to the Doctor's lamentations, for he had re-
marked that the di'ops of blood, which had latterly
been few and far between, now became larger, and had
assumed a frothy appearance, — a sure sign that the
wounded animal is nearly exhausted. " Forward, Charles,
my boy ! we are close upon her now." But his shout
was answered by a sm-ly growl, not ten yards in front
of them, and the whole party stopped dead, as if elec-
trified by tliat fearful sound.

AX EVENTFUI. DAY I.\ THE JUNGLE. 175

" A Tiger, by heavens ! " muttered Mansfield, setting
his teeth hard and cocking both barrels of his rifle.

" Ho [Sahib, hagh hie ! " remarked the Jemmadar,
looking as unconcerned as if it had only been a dog.

" I told you how it would be," roared the Doctor,
turning short round and preparing for a hasty re-
treat.

" Hold, madman !" cried Mansfield in a voice of
thunder, seizing him by the collar,' and dragging him
back to his side — " Do you wish to bring the Tiger
upon us? If we turn our backs to him, we are dead
men. Our only chance is to keep om* eyes steadily
fixed on the spot where he lies, and be ready to pour
in a volley if he attempts to charge. But if we put a
bold face on it, the chances are he will slip off quietly.
Look at Charles, how manfully he stands his ground.
I wonder you are not ashamed to show less nerve than
a boy of his age. Here, stand by my side, and be ready
with Mons Meg, she is like to do us yeoman's service,
amongst this long grass. Hang it, man, don't look so
blue upon it ; I have been in many a harder pinch than
this, and got clear after all."

But although Mansfield talked thus encouragingly to
rouse the Doctor's drooping courage, his flashing eye,
distended nostril, and compressed lips, showed that he
considered it no child's play, but an affair of life and
death — one of those desperate scrapes which the hardy
Forester must sometimes expect to fall into, but which
it requires all his skill and steadiness of nerve to get
well out of.

'• Kamah^'' said he, in a low, deep-toned voice, still

176 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

keeping his eye steadily fixed on the spot where he sup-
posed the Tiger to be, and grasping his rifle more firmly
— ' ' Kamah^ keep a good look out, and try if you can
mark him amongst the grass. — Steady, my lads !" whis-
pered he, setting his teeth and holding his breath, as
another deep growl was heard, accompanied by that im-
patient switching of the tail which too certainly denotes
an inclination to charge. " He is determined to fight,
I see, and there is nothing for it. but a well-directed
volley. — But, as you value your lives, stir not, and re-
serve your fire till you can see him."

The Doctor's teeth chattered, and a cold perspiration
broke out upon his forehead at this unwelcome announce-
ment : Charles, too, looked a little paler than usual, but
his hand was steady, his eye quailed not, and the firm,
though compressed expression of his mouth, showed that
he was prepared to act like a man, when called upon to
do so.

" Dekho Sahib ! " whispered the Jemmadar, his fierce
eye flashing fire, as he gently touched Mansfield on the
shoulder, and pointed eagerly towards the spot from
whence the sound proceeded.

Mansfield strained his eyes in vain, to discover the
object which had attracted the attention of the savage.

A low rustling sound was heard amongst the long
grass, as if the Tiger were creeping cautiously forward,
so as to bring himself within springing distance of his
victims. It was a moment of fearful suspense ; but
Mansfield never altered a muscle of his countenance —
his courage appeared to rise, as the danger became
more imminent.

AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE. 177

The rustling sound ceased, and the ominous switching
of the tail was again heard.

" Now for it, lads ! death or victory !"" said Mansfield,
in a low firm tone of voice, his proud lip curling haugh-
tily as he drew himself up to his full height, and half
raised the rifle to his shoulder. — " Be steady, and don't
throw your shots away ; there is life or death in every
ounce of lead. — Ha ! " — at this critical moment, he
caught a hasty glimpse of the Tiger's malignant green
eye as he lowered his head for the fatal spring. Like a
flash of lightning, the trusty rifle poured forth its deadly
contents. A roar — a bound — and the stricken monster
rolled gasping at their feet, with a two-ounce ball buried
in his skull.

" Wallah ! wallah ! " shouted the Jemmadar, with
uplifted hands, for once startled out of his stoical self-
possession, by the suddenness of the catastrophe.

Charles and the Doctor stood as if petrified, gazing on
the fallen Tiger, and still grasping their weapons firmly,
as if they expected him again to rise.

" Od's my life, he 's no' dead yet ! " roared the Doc-
tor, bounding back some paces, as the dying Tiger
gasped painfully for breath.

" Well, Doctor, what is Mons Meg about?" replied
Mansfield, smiling ; " why don't you give him a dose of
the grit-shot ? "

The Doctor raised his piece with a trembling hand,
and pulled the trigger : — the thundering report of Mons
Meg made the woods ring — the Tiger gathered up his
limbs with a convulsive start, and then stretched them

178 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

out, quivering in the last agonies, whilst the frothy
blood bubbled from his mouth and nostrils.

The Doctor, as if seared at his own temerity, threw
down his gun, and, jumping behind Mansfield, peeped
cautiously over his shoulder.

" Od, I believe the grit-shot has settled him at last,"
cried he, rising on tiptoe, and clutching Mansfield's
shoulder in an agony of nervous excitement — " he''s just
about gone ! — Od, there 's another awfu' gape though —
Mercy on us ! what gruesome teeth — there's another !
Ha ! — ha ! that 's the last — hurra ! hurra ! — he 's dead ! "
and the Doctor began dancing, and snapping his fingers,
and laughing with a sort of hysterical giggle, as if the
sudden revulsion of feeling from mortal terror to exces-
sive joy, had been too much for him, and had actually
turned his brain.

Charles, who had stood all the time perfectly motion-
less, with his forefinger resting on the trigger of his
rifle, allowed the weapon to di'op mechanically into the
hollow of his arm, and grasping Mansfield's hand, wrung
it hard, as he mentally returned thanks to the Almighty
for their providential escape. His nerves had been
strung to the highest pitch of excitement, and his heart
was too full to speak.

" You have behaved gallantly, my boy ! " said Mans-
field, heartily returning the pressure of his hand : " the
steadiness and presence of mind you have shown on this
occasion, would have done credit to the oldest Sports-
man in India, and with a few months' more training, I
would not wish for a stauncher hand to back me in a

AN EVENTFUL DAY [N THE JUNGLE. 171)

case of emergency. — Come, Doctor," continued he,
turning towards our medical friend, who still continued
his gambols — " don't be ridiculous, but thank God for
being in a whole skin, and load your weapon. This is no
place to stand twirling our thumbs with empty barrels."

Whilst the Sportsmen re-loaded their rifles, Kamah
went ferreting about amongst the long grass from whence
the Tiger had sprung, and now returned, dragging after
him the carcase of the wounded Doe, her head being
crushed, and exliibiting e\'ident marks of a Tiger's paw.

" Ah ! this accounts for his facing us as he did," said
Mansfield, stooping do^\•n to examine the head of the
Deer, " for in general, a jungle Tiger, who is not in the
habit of seeing men, is glad to steal away unobserved.
The brute must have just struck dowm the wounded
Deer, and was too hungry to abandon his prey without
making a fight for it. However, that is all well over
now, so let us be thankful, and get out of this infernal
long grass with as little delay as possible ; there may be
more of the family here yet for all we know."

" Od preserve us, Captain ! dinna be speakin' that
way — it 's enough to fright a body out o' his wits. Haste
ye, lads, haste ye, we '11 awa hame as fast as we can, and
if you ever catch me plouthering through long grass
again, you may cut my lugs aff"." So saying, the Doctor
shouldered his fusee, and began to force his way through
the tangled grass with desperate energy.

Having gained the open ground, a council of war was
held, and, as the sun was already high, it was agreed,
nmch to the Doctor's relief, that the party should return
to breakfast, and send out theii* Coolies for the game.

N 2

180 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" The Lord be thanked for all His mercies ! " ex-
claimed the Doctor, fervently, when this plan was
decided upon.

But, alas ! short-sighted mortal, thou art not yet at
home. Little dost thou know of the many dangers
which beset the path of the Forest Ranger.

" Come, Doctor, cheer up, man," cried Mansfield,
after they had proceeded some distance in silence ; " you
look as melancholy as a gib-cat, or a man who is kept
by an undertaker to let out at funerals. What with the
Glenlivat last night, and the Tiger this morning, your
brains appear to be addled."

*' Hoot, Captain, dinna' say nae more about the Glen-
livat, I have had nae luck since that confounded black
bottle was put upon the table, and my head is just
throughother with it to-day. Faith, you may say that
a man wad need a cool head, and a steady hand, afore
he yokes to this jungle work ; it's just a perfect tempt-
ing o' Providence ; and, if once I get safe back to the
tents, by my troth, you may whistle on your thumb
long enough afore you catch me at it again. But,
Heaven save us! — what's that?" shouted the Doctor,
springing behind Mansfield, and seizing him by the
arms, as a tremendous crash was heard amongst the
bamboos, accompanied by a shrill scream, like the sound
of a cracked trumpet,

'"'•Hutteel Huttee!" shouted the Jemmadar, darting
behind the shelter of a tree, and beckoning the others to
follow his example.

" Down! down, for your lives!" exclaimed Mansfield,
in an audible whisper, at the same time crouching behind

AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE. 181

a tree, and cocking his rifle. " This must be the far-
famed soHtary Elephant, which has been committing such
ravages of late on the edge of the Forest ; and, if we
can manage to kill him, it will be a glorious victory."

The Doctor groaned aloud, in agony of spirit.

" Now, lads, mind what you are about, and if you
only behave steadily, the day is our own. Keep per-
fectly still till he shows himself: — when I whistle he
will lower his head to listen from whence the sound
comes — take a steady aim at the hollow in his forehead,
just above the insertion of the trunk, and, when I whistle
a second time, fire together. But take care that you
only fire one barrel, reserve the other and dash off", two
to the right and two to the left, so that if he does not
fall, he may find a clear space to make his first rush.
They are stupid, short-sighted animals, and if you keep
quiet, we shall probably have time to re-load before he
discovers us ; at all events we shall have our second
barrels ready. Now, mind these directions ; and you,
Doctor, do, like a good fellow, try to keep your wits
about you : everything depends upon our steadiness,
and the slightest mistake may cost us our lives."

" The Lord have mercy on us ! This is awfu' work ! "
groaned the poor Doctor, casting a rueful glance at his
favourite Mons Meg.

There was a moment of breathless silence. Another
fearful crash was heard, and the gigantic brute, bursting
into the open space, brandished aloft his ponderous
trunk, like a Knight entering the lists to defy all comers,
and screamed forth his shrill note of defiance. He was
a stupendous animal, a perfect mountain of flesh, full

182 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

twelve feet high, with enormous tusks, and his little,
twinkling, red eye, glared with the fire of madness.

Flourishing his tnmk about, he snuffed the tainted
air, and his scream of rage, as he stamped upon the
ground, announced that he was aware of the close
proximity of his enemies, although he had not yet de-
cided in which direction to make his headlong charge.

" Now, lads, steady, and reserve your fire till the
proper time."

Mansfield gave a low whistle.

The Elephant started, cocked his ears, and bent do^vn
his head in the attitude of listening. He was just in the
right position, and Mansfield was in the act of raising
his rifle, when, crack went Mons Meg, with a report
like a six-pounder, and the Doctor, throwing down his
weapon, took to his heels, roaring lustily that the mon-
ster was after him. The poor Doctor's nerves had got
the better of him, and, by an involuntary twitch of his
forefingers, he had pulled the trigger when he least
expected it.

Mansfield and Charles fired, and both balls took effect
in the head of the Elephant, making the blood flow
copiously ; but being discharged almost at random, and
not planted in the correct spot, they only acted as
stimulants to his rage. Uttering a shrill scream, he
dashed madly forward, his mouth wide open, his tail on
end, and his trunk upraised, to crush all which opposed
his headlong career.

Mansfield and Charles darted to one side, and fled for
shelter behind the stem of a large teak tree. But the
poor Doctor, whose senses were completely bewildered,

AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE. 183

ran blindly forwaxd, and his red jacket, being much too
conspicuous an object to escape the notice of the en-
raged Elephant, his fate appeared inevitable.

In vain did the panting wretch twist, and turn, and
dodge amongst the trees, like a hunted jackal. The
destroyer was close at his heels, following every turn
\v'ith the perseverance of mortal hate. His strength
was failing fast, and the fearful chase appeared to be
drawing to a close. The trunk of the Elephant was
already stretched forward to grasp him, when he made
a sudden turn ; the Elephant overshot his mark, and,
for one moment, was at fault, apparently uncertain in
which direction his victim had fled. The Doctor, seeing
his advantage, began, with all diligence, to climb the
tree behind which he had sheltered himself. He was
already several feet from the ground, and his arm was
outstretched to grasp a branch which would have raised
him to a place of safety, when the Elephant, catching a
hasty glimpse of him, dashed forwai'd with redoubled
furj% twisted his trunk round his legs, hurled him to the
ground, rushed upon liim, as he lay, stunned and bleed-
ing, and, kneeling do\Mi, di-ove at him, furiously, with
his enormous tusks, burying them up to the very root.

At this moment, Mansfield, who had followed the
chase, dodging cautiously from tree to tree, in hopes
that some lucky turn might give him a steady shot at
the Elephant's head, came in sight of the bloody scene.

" The Lord have mercy on his soul, for he is beyond
the aid of man I " exclaimed he, dropping the butt-end of
his rifle to the ground, and leaning against a tree, sick
and giddy at the ghastly sight.

184 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

The Elephant rose from his knees, picked up the body
of the unfortunate Doctor in his trunk, tossed it to a
short distance, and stood gazing on his victim, with
flaming eyes, as if gathering fresh breath, before he
rushed at him again, to finish the work of death, by
tramphng him with his feet.

" By Heavens you shall not complete your bloody
work ! " muttered Mansfield, grinding his teeth, and
raising his rifle, with a steadiness of hand which never
forsook him, even in the most desperate situations. The
deadly bullet sped true to the mark, entering the eye, and
burying itself in the brain of the Elephant. The gigan-
tic brute uttered one shrill scream of mingled rage and
pain, and, sinking slowly to the ground, rolled over like
a falling tower.

Charles, followed by the Jemmadar, now came running
to the scene of action, and, by w^ay of making sure,
discharged both barrels into the head of the ElejDhant ;
but he moved not, Mansfield's shot had done the work
effectually.

" And so there is an end of poor Mc.Phee," said
Mansfield, casting a melancholy look on the breathless
body of the poor Doctor, as it lay at his feet, covered
with blood and dust. " I feel a sad remorse of con-
science for having persuaded the poor fellow to join in a
dangerous sport for which he was so ill adapted. But
it is worse than useless to make vain lamentations now.
Kamah, do you cut a few stout bamboos ; we must pre-
pare something in the shape of a litter to carry home
the body." And Mansfield proceeded, instinctively, to
re-load his rifle, whilst his proud lip quivered, and the

AN EVENTFUL DAY IN THE JUNGLE. 185

iinl)idclen tear started to his eye, for, with all his
haughty exterior, he had the soft heart of a woman.
Charles, completely overcome by the scene, threw him-
self at the root of a tree, and bm-ied his face in his
hands. And even the savage features of the Jemmadar
were softened into something like pity, as he stood, with
folded arms, gazing on the work of destruction.

" By Heavens, he still breathes ! " cried Mansfield,
dashing his rifle to the gi'ound, and flying to raise the
head of the poor Doctor, as a faint groan reached his
ear, " This is indeed miraculous ! " — and hastily tear-
ing open the jacket, he discovered, to his infinite joy,
that, although his face was deadly pale, and his clothes
smeared with blood and dirt, the Doctor's body was
perfectly uninjured.

It appeared that the Elephant, blinded, probably, by
the blood which flowed from the wounds in his forehead,
had missed his aim, and instead of transfixing his victim,
as he intended, had buried his tusks in the ground, on
each side of his body, thus holding him do\\Ti, as if
within the prongs of an enormous pitchfork, and, of
course, covering him with the blood which flowed from
his own womids. In short, the Doctor, in spite of his
ghastly and blood-stained figure, had escaped with no
other injury than being stunned and severely bruised by
the first toss. A strong dose of brandy, which JNIans-
field poured down his throat, soon revived him, and so
far restored his spirits that he was enabled to examine
the head of his fallen enemy, and discovered, to his
immeasurable satisfaction, that some straggling drops of
the grit-shot had actually taken effect.

186 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" Faith, Meg, my woman," said he, apostrophizing
the old fusee, which the Jemmadar had picked up and
restored to him, " you have had a tight morning's work
of it, and, by my troth, it will be long enough afore ye
hae the like again, at least in my company. Captain,
a wee drap mair out o' your bottle, if you please, for I
feel a kind o' fainting about my heart. But, stout or
faint, it will ne'er forget the gude turn ye hae done me
this day. Here is your health, and my blessing be upon
you and your trusty weapon ! "

So saying, the Doctor gulped down his brandy, while
the big tears of gratitude dimmed his eye, and, finding
himself wonderfully refreshed, limped off toward the
camp, supported by his two young companions.

CHAPTER XL
THE NIGHT MARCH.

" Well, Doctor, how fares it with you?" asked Mans-
field, pulling aside the canvass door, and thrusting his
head into the Doctor's tent, about three hours before
daylight, on the morning after the memorable Elephant-
hunt, which had so nearly proved fatal to poor Mc.
Phee.

" Wha 's yon?" muttered the Doctor, with a grunt
like a sick bear ; partially opening his eyes, and suddenly
closing them again, to exclude the light of the lantern
which Mansfield carried in his hand. " What ails you,
you misleer'd loon, to gang stavin' about the camp at
this time o' night, wi*" your cutty sark, and your lang
spauls o' legs, and your bit bowet in your hand, for a'
the world like the troubled speerit o"* a departed tinkler,
walking the earth in search o"" his breeks ? If you canna'
sleep yoursel', Sir, I wish ye would find some other place
to play your cantraips in, and no disturb the rest o'
honest folk, that want to sleep." And the Doctor,
turning his back upon the unwelcome intruder with a
stifled groan, and a catching of the breath, which
showed that the effort cost him considerable pain, drew
the bedclothes over his head, and settled himself as if
determined to answer no further question.

THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" I beg your pardon, my dear Doctor, for disturbing
you," replied Mansfield, smiling at the poor Doctor's
crusty humour. " I merely came to inquire after your
health, and to ask whether you are well enough to
undertake a march this morning, for we have a long
way to go, and it is high time for us to think of striking
the camp, if we are to move."

" Umph ! " grunted the Doctor, tucking his knees
up to his chin, and puUing the bedclothes farther over
his head with an impatient jerk, as he felt the cold air
creeping round the walls of the tent.

" But I see you are still in great pain, and am afraid
you must be more seriously injured than you at first
supposed. Come, man, let me look at you. I suspect
you ought to lose a little blood, or, at all events, a re-
petition of the hot fomentation you applied last night,
might help to relieve you. Shall I call Heels, and
desire him to prepare some hot water 1 "

" Where the deil did you learn the doctoring trade,
may I ask ? " growled the Doctor, thrusting his black
muzzle from under the bedclothes, and looking askance
at Mansfield over his shoulder : " do you suppose. Sir,
that I took out my degree at the College of Edinbm-gh
for nathing ? or that I am soft enough to lie here, and
let myseP be sticket, and plotted wi' hot water, hke an
auld soo, by a daft, harumscarum, throughother, ble-
therin' loon o' a Sodger, that has nae mair knowledge
o' the noble science of pharmacy than my Granny ? —
and no that same — for she, honest woman, had some
skill o' the rhumatis, and was no' an ill Howdy, at a
pinch. — Awa ! out o' that, I say, and dinna fash me nae

THE NIGHT MARCH. 18.9

mair wi' your havers, for I 'm just perfect ramfeezled
and disjaskit for want o' rest."

" Well, well, Doctor," said Mansfield, striving to
sujjpress a laugh, as he approached the bed, and patted
the Doctor gently on the shoulder, " don't be so sulky
about it, you old Bear ; there is no necessity for your
moving, unless you like it ; so keep yourself quiet, and
try to sleep. I shall call you when breakfast is ready,
and hope to find your temper improved, as well as your
bodily ailments. Adieu, my old boy, and pleasant dreams
to you.""

" Come back here, Captain," cried the Doctor, poking
his head from under the clothes, and extending his long
bony hand towards Mansfield, who was about to retire.
— " Come back here, I tell you, and shake hands with
rae. Hoot, fie, Sir ! what ails you to be in sic a dooms
hurry ? I thought ye might hae kent better than to hae
taken a cankered body at his word, yon way."

" Well, old Sulky," said ^lansfield, returning, and
taking the Doctor's hand in his, " what is the matter
now?"

" You maun excuse me," said the poor Doctor,
squeezing his hand affectionately ; " you maun excuse
me, Sir, for being a wee bit cankered ways this morning.
Ye ken. Sir, I 'm gae short in the temper at the best
o' times; and I 'm so sair birzed and churted, that,
between that and the want o' rest, I 'm just a wee bit
mair cantankerous than ordinar. It was an ill-done
thing, — it was an unco ill-done thing in me, Sii', to speak
sae short to you, to whom I owe my life. But I hope
you '11 excuse me, Captain, and believe that I 'm no

190 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

iingratefu', although the pain has made me a wee crabbit
like."

" No, no, my dear Doctor," said Mansfield, returning
the pressure of his hand. " I know your honest heart
too well to suspect you of ingratitude ; and a little
fretfulness is excusable in one who has passed a sleep-
less night of suffering ; so pray, do not make yourself
uneasy about it, but keep quiet ; and, if you can only
get a few hours' sleep, I have no doubt you will awake
in such a good humour, that a child might play with
you."

" Thank you, thank you, Captain," said the Doctor,
squeezing his hand hard ; — " It 's o'er good o' you to
forgie me sae easily, and I 'm just ashamed of myseF for
giving way to pain, and lying here, girning like an auld
wife. I believe it 's best for me to rise after a', for I
canna sleep ; and, as there are nae bones broken, the
exercise o' riding, and a good sweat, will, maybe, do me
good. — Heels, ye black sinner ! — Heels, I say ! bring
me my clothes." So saying, the Doctor, with one mighty
effort, and one fearful grunt, kicked his long legs out of
bed, and sat upright.

Mansfield, after trying in vain to dissuade him from
his purpose — for the Doctor was as obstinate as a mule
when once he got a crotchet in his head — lighted a
candle from his lantern, and departed to rouse the camp,
leaving the Doctor to be dressed by Heels, who was
striving, as gently as possible, to insinuate his battered
limbs into the legs and sleeves of his garments. This
operation, however, was not completed without extorting
sundry groans and curses from the irritable patient, who.

<3

THE NIGHT MARCH, 191

between the twitches of pain, might be heard muttering,
between his clenched teeth,

" D — n the muckle black beast ! I believe he has
yerkit every bane in my body out o' its place ; but I
will hae my ain way, in spite o' him. I will rise,
though the Deil should girn in my face."

It is not yet within three hours of daylight ; but the
moon, although sinking towards the western horizon,
and now partially concealed by the waving tree-tops,
still sheds a broken light upon the drowsy camp, chequer-
ing the dew-bespangled grass with strange fantastic
shadows, and ever-changing spots of sparkling light.
The wandering night-wind sighs through the Forest,
wafting to the ear the melancholy murmur of the lonely
river, as, in solitary gi-andeur, it glides along its dark
mysterious course, far, far away into the unkno\vn wil-
derness. But no sound of life is there — no living thing
is seen to move in that sequestered spot. Tlie white-
robed figures of the natives, stretched at full length
upon the ground, look like sheeted corpses in the cold
moonlight. Silence reigns within the tents, and the
death-like calm, which pervades the whole scene, tends
to impress the mind of the beholder with a solemn feel-
ing of awe, as if he gazed upon a spot which, once in-
deed, had teemed with life, but over which the cold
breath of the destroying angel had passed, during the
silent watches of the night, leaving the forest winds, as
they howled through the wilderness, to sing the dirges
of the unburied dead.

But hark ! — the cheerful notes of a bugle rise full
and clear upon the still air, rousing the startled echoes,

192 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

which slumbered deep amidst the gloomy arches of the
Forest ; and, at that joyous sound, the slumbering camp,
which so lately presented an image of death, suddenly
bursts into life, as if aroused from its trance by the
mighty voice of a magician. The active Lascars are
already busy in knocking up the tent-pegs ; their wildly-
chanted song keeping time to the rapid stroke of their
mallets. The Horse-keepers bestir themselves to rub
down and saddle their masters' steeds ; the proud
animals snorting and pawing the ground, as if impatient
of their long rest, and eager for the chase. A confused
jingling of bells, mingled with the grunting of camels,
and the faint lowing of oxen, announce that the beasts
of burden are also on the move. The dusky figures
of the native servants may be seen flitting about like
evil spirits, and jostling each other, in eager haste to
pack up and despatch their masters'* baggage. Groups
of women and children, shivering in the cold morning
air, crouch closely around the numerous fires, for which
the old litter of the horses has furnished them a ready
material : — their gaudy-coloured dresses, picturesque
figures, and graceful attitudes, now thrown out in strong
relief against the dark background of trees, and again
shrouded in comparative darkness, as the expiring fire, oc-
casionally replenished by a handful of straw or dry leaves,
suddenly sends up a bright sheet of bickering flame, and
again subsides into a dull red glow. Here the kneeling
form of a camel is distinctly seen by the light of a neigh-
bouring fire, gnashing his long tusks, and threatening,
with out-stretched neck, the busy natives who are era-
ployed in arranging his load ; and there the gigantic form

TIIK XTGHT MARCH. lj).j

of the stately Elephant may 1)c faintly traced, .advancing
slowly from amidst the surrounding darkness, like a
moving tower. Whilst, from the remoter clumps of
trees, where the deepened gloom renders the actors of
the busy scene invisible, the wild song of the Camel-
drivers, intermixed with hearty maledictions denounced
against the ancestors of some restive brute, which un-
willingly submits itself to be accoutred for the march,
come faintly borne on the night wind. Old Kamah is
the only one of the busy throng who appears unoccupied,
as he leans against the stem of a tree, smoking a cheroot,
and bearing in his hand a flaming torch, with which, in
the capacity of guide, he has prepared himself, to direct
the steps of the travellers through the dark paths of
the Forest, as well as to scare any wild animal which
may happen to cross their path during the hour of dark-
ness which must intervene between the setting of the
moon and the appearance of daylight-

In little more than an hour from the time the signal
for moving had been given, every tent was struck, and
the last camel loaded. And Mansfield, who maintained
a sort of military discipline in his hunting camp, having
remained to see the latest straggler quit the ground, our
three friends mounted their horses, and, tm-ning their
backs upon the deserted camp-ground, struck into the
Forest by a different path from the one by which they had
arrived ; it being their intention to retiu-n to the Hills
by a circuitous route, through the plains, where Mans-
field expected to fall in with wild Hog and Antelope.

The moon had by this time set ; and, notwthstanding
the light of the torch which old Kamah carried in front.

104 TTIK OLD FOP.EST RANGER.

the horsemen found some difficulty in preventing their
horses from falling in the rugged path, along which, in
spite of the deepened gloom, occasioned by the over-
hanging trees, their savage guide pursued his onward
course, with a steadiness of purpose, and swaftness of
foot, which appeared almost miraculous.

A little more than an hour's riding sufficed to carry
them through the denser part of the Forest, which was
traversed ahnost in silence ; the constant attention
necessary to prevent theu' horses from stumbling over
roots of trees, and other impediments, keeping them
too fully occupied to admit of much conversation ;
neither did they encounter any of the savage denizens
of the Forest, although, more tlian once, a suspicious
rustling among the branches made the poor Doctor's
heart rise to his throat, and forced upon his recollec-
tion, with fearful distinctness, all the ghastly tales he
had ever heard of night attacks from Tigers and wild
Elephants.

The first gray tints of morning were beginning to ap-
pear, as they emerged from the dense bamboo jungle,
and entered a romantic valley, flanked by lofty hills,
wooded almost to the top, and terminating in abrupt
rocky crags, which reared their gray and thunder-riven
summits to the clouds.

And now streaks of purple and gold are spreading
gradually over the Eastern sky, against which is traced
the fine bold outline of the mountain, which appears to
rise perpendiciUai'ly from the path, like a wall of black
marble ; but darkness still broods over the valley, and
the silence of night is unbroken, save by the distant

THE NIGHT MARCH. 195

sound of falling water, or the wild plaintive cry of a
stray plover.

" The Lord be about us ! what na eldrich skirl is
yon ? " whispered the Doctor, seizing Charles's arm with
a convulsive grasp, as the silence was suddenly broken
by an unearthly voice, apparently amongst the rocks
above, uttering a loud and sudden Waugli O ! WaugJi O !
followed by a half-suppressed scream, as of a person in
the act of being strangled. " Oh ! Maister Charles,
hear to that — what can it be ? It is surely something no
canny."

Waugh O ! Waugh O ! replied that wild mysterious
voice, so close, that it appeared to the Doctor to be
shrieking in his very ears — then an awful pause, and
again the wailing cry was heard, but at so great a dis-
tance, that it appeared to proceed from some wandering
spirit of darkness, flitting from place to place with more
than mortal speed.

" Why, I really do not know what to make of it,'"
replied Charles : " I should take it to be the voice of
some wild animal, probably a Hyena, only that I am
puzzled to account for the sudden and noiseless manner
in which it moves from place to place."

" Na ! na ! Maister Charles, there is something no
just so canny as a wild beast there, take my word for it.
But we had better ride on and ask the Captain ; for if
we bide here any longer, it will, maybe, come and grip
us in the dark." So saying, the Doctor clapped spurs
to his horse, and cantered after Mansfield, who had now
got some distance ahead.

" Heard what \ " asked Mansfield, smiling at the
o2

LOG THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

anxious manner with which the Doctor inquired whether
he had " heard yon." — " Do you mean the Owl I "

" The Hoolet, Sir ? "

" Yes, just the Hoolet, as you call it ; for I can assure
you the savage cry you heard just now, although I con-
fess it sounds rather unearthly, is nothing more than the
cry of the great horned Owl. Often and often, during
my rambles in the Forest, have I been warned of the
approach of day by that same ghostly watchman, and
well do I know his ugly voice.""

" A Hoolet ! a Hoolet ! " cried the Doctor. " Od,
Sir. do you think to mak a fool o' me, and gar me believe
that sic an unearthly skirl as yon, came frae the throat
of a Hoolet, or ony other bird that ever was clockit ?
Na, na, Sir ! I '11 no believe the like o' yon — ^j'ou maun
no hae heerd it right. That sound was na uttered by
ony craiter o' tliis world, and sae some o' us w411 find to
our cost ere lang."

" What the Devil do you suppose it is then ? " asked
Mansfield impatiently.

" Whist, Captain ! speak laich, for ony sake," whis-
pered the Doctor, drawing closer to him, and seizing
him by the arm. " It 's the Banshee, Sir — it 's the Ban-
shee, as sure as I 'm a miserable sinner ; and tak my
word for 't, nae good ever comes o' hearing her ill-
omened wail. A Hoolet, indeed ! Na, na, that 's nae
Hoolet ! " and the Doctor shook his head mournfully ; for
although a sensible man in other respects, he had never
been able entirely to divest himself of the superstitious
ideas which had been instilled into his mind, almost with
his mother's milk, and like many of his comitrymen, in

THE NroiIT MARCIT. 197

the same sphere of life, fully believed in the existence
of that harbinger of death, the Banshee.

" Well, well, Doctor," replied INIansfield, laughing,
" you, being a Scotchman, ought to know more about
the Banshee than I do ; but if that be she, I can only
say, her style of singing does but little credit to the
country from whence she comes."

" She was na singing — she was greetin'," — replied the
Doctor, with gi-eat naivete.

" Well, laughing or gi-eeting, she has a cursed ugly
voice of her own. But hark ye, Doctor," continued
Mansfield, unslinging his rifle, and carefully examining
the caps by the light of the torch, to satisfy himself that
they had not been injured by the damp — "you had better
not lag so far behind as you did just now, for the Jem-
madar tells me this ravine is dreadfully infested by
Tigers ; and if we fall in with one of these fly-by-night
gentlemen, retiring to his lair with an empty stomach,
you will find it rather a more serious business than
hearing the Banshee, although you appear to think that
bad enough."

" Bad enough, bad enough, indeed," muttered the
poor Doctor, plying the spurs vigorously, and urging the
unwilling Smiler into a trot.

The party had proceeded about a quarter of a mile,
and had reached a turn in the road, which being over-
hung by a dense ma.ss of trees, was so intensely dark,
that, without the assistance of the torch, the horsemen
could not have seen their own length in front of them,
when the Doctor's horse, which as usual had fallen be-
hind the rest, suddenly stopped short, and, uttering a

198 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

loud snort, began to tremble violently, as if overcome by
mortal fear.

" Captain ! Captain ! " shouted the Doctor, plying his
stick furiously in the vain attempt to make Smiler move,
" Oh, Captain, for ony sake come here ! — the beast
surely sees something uncanny, for he '11 no stir an inch,
in spite o' me !" — and again a shower of blows descended
upon poor Smiler's sounding ribs.

Mansfield and Charles, who were a Uttle in advance,
immediately pulled up ; but ere they could turn their
horses' heads, a terrific roar was heard — a crash — a wild
scream of agony — and the ill-starred Doctor, with his
struggling horse, were borne to the earth by some heavy
body, which, flashing for an instant in the torch-light,
darted from the bank above with the velocity of a thun-
derbolt.

It was too dark to distinguish objects on the ground ;
but it was evident, from the violent struggle which en-
sued, and the piteous moaning of the poor horse, that he
was trying to free himself from the grasp of some power-
ful animal.

" Bagh! Bagh!" shouted the Jemmadar^ hurling his
torch in the du-ection from whence the sound proceeded.

" Here, Kamah^ hold this beast," cried Mansfield,
jumping from his terrified horse, and throwing the reins
to tlie Jemmadar ; as, by the faint light of the expiring
torch, he discovered a Panther clinging to the prostrate
body of the horse, with his teeth and claws firmly fixed
in the throat of the dying animal, who had now almost
ceased to struggle, and drew his breath in thick gasping
sobs, as the tlirottling savage, with a malignant growl of

THE NIGHT MARCH. 199

satisfaction, sucked the warm blood from his ebbing
veins.

" This is a bad light," said Mansfield, shaking his head,
and recovering the rifle, which he had brought to his
shoulder, the flame of the torch having sunk so low, as
to render surrounding objects almost invisible. " I
wish to Heaven it would blaze up again, and allow me
to see whereabouts the poor Doctor lies, for I have as
good a chance of liitting him as the Panther, if I risk a
shot in the dark. Ha ! that will do."

A sudden gust of wind fanned the expiring torch into
a bright flame, lighting up the ghastly scene with more
brilliancy than ever. The Panther, startled by the sud-
den light, quitted his hold of the horse, and grinning
fiercely, slirmik into a crouching attitude, as if prepared
to spring on his assailant.

" Now, then, you snarling devil !" muttered JSIansfield,
laying his cheek against the stock of his rifle, with as
much cool deliberation as if he were about to fire at a
mark ; but ere he had brought the fine-drawn sight to
bear upon its object, a convulsive kick from the dying
horse struck the fieiy end of the torch, and sent it
flying among the bushes. — The air was filled with a
shower of glittering sparks — and again all was dark-
ness.

" A spear ! a spear ! " shouted Mansfield, mad with
disappointment, throwing aside his rifle, and snatching
at a spear which Charles carried in his hand. '' Quick,
man, before he moves ! I can pin him to the ground
where he lies. — Ha ! who fired that shot?"

A bright flash — a sharp report — the whistle of a

200 THE OLD FOREST RANGEH,

bullet — and then a gasping bubbling sound, was heard,
as of an animal stifling in his own blood.

"Hurra!" shouted the Doctor, from amidst the
gloom; the unexpected but welcome cheer coming to
the ears of his companions like a voice from the dead.
" Hiu-ra, lads ! he 's dead, he 's dead ! — Come here,
some o' you. For ony sake, come here and help me to
get my leg out frae below the horse, for it 's amaist
smashed. This way, this way ! ye needna be 'feard ;
I 've dang the life out o' him fairly.

" What do you think of the auld Doctor, noo ?" ex-
claimed Mc.Phee, brandishing, with a triumphant air, a
huge horse-pistol, as Mansfield and Charles busied them-
selves in extricating him from the dead horse. " Was
na that weel done, Captain? — Easy ! easy wi' me, lads, for
I 'm that sair birzed wi' yesterday*'s work, that I canna
thole to be touched, amaist. AVasna that weel done, I say,
Sir I Od, ye hae often laughed at my old Grandfaither's
pistol, but I telt you it would come to use some day or
other, and sae it has, at last. O, man, but I 'm stiff!"
continued he, as he got upon his legs, with the assis-
tance of his two companions, and seated liimself on a
bank.

" By Heavens, it was well done ! " exclaimed Mans-
field, grasping the Doctor's hand with enthusiasm ; for
he was really attached to the v.orthy man, and his heart
was filled with gratitude to Heaven for his wonderful
escape, and admiration of the mi wonted spirit he dis-
played on the occasion. " Well done, and coolly, as
any thing I ever saw. Why, Doctor, you have come
out quite in a new character — a very dare-devil; — but,

\

THE MGIIT MARCH. 201

as you say, it was fortunate for you, and, indeed, for all
of us, that you had the old pistol at hand, and presence
of mind to use it ; for, to tell you the truth, when the
light was extinguished, I began to have rather unplea-
sant forebodings, as to the termination of our adven-
ture."

" Faith, ye may say that," replied the Doctor : " I
was sae dumb-foundered, and taken by surprise at first,
when I found mysel' sprawling on the ground, like a
cripple puddock, and heard the worry, worry o' the
bloodthirsty deevle, as he rugged and rived at poor
Smiler's throat, that I just gied mysel' up for lost — and,
then that awfu' cry we heard the now came into my
mind. — Ye needna laugh. Sir, for I tell ye there was
something no canny in that cry. — And I thought my hour
was come, and then I prayed for mercy on my sinfu' soul.
— And wi' that, I appeared to get new strength and
com-age. — And then I minded o' the auld pistol I had
put in the holster ; and the wee drap Heeland blood I
hae in my veins began to boil. — And, says I to mysel',
' D — n you, for a muckle girnin cat ! I 'm a match for
ye yet !' — And, wi' that, I lifted myseF cannily on my
elbow, and whippit the pistol out o' the holster, and
elappit it to his lug, and dang the life out o' him afore
he had time to wink. Ha ! ha ! Captain, you see there
is some good stuff in the auld Doctor yet ; although I
maun confess, my nerves rather got the better o' me
yesterday. But that was a' the effects o' the Glcnlivat,
ye ken — Eh, Captain ? " — and the worthy Doctor
giinned, and rubbed his hands with evident satisfac-
tion.

202 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" Tut, tut ! never mind what happened yesterday,"
said Mansfield, encouragingly ; " you have behaved like
a man this morning, at all events, and so ' let byganes be
byganes,' as you say yourself. But are you not hurt ? —
I am sure you got a terrible roll."

" Hoot, fie, no ! *" replied the Doctor, " I came down
in a fine saft place, amang the lang grass. But I 'm
so cursedly warped in the back, after yesterday's toolzie,
that the shake I got has just put me a wee through-
other, and gart me feel faint-like about the heart.
Maister Charles, if ye will just be good enough to
look in the other holster, and gie me a wee bit flask
ye '11 find there, I think a drap out o' it will maybe
do me good. The horse-pistol has done us a good turn
already, and now we '11 try what effect the pocket-pistol
will hae — Ha ! ha ! ha ! Captain." — Here tlie Doctor
chuckled, and poked Mansfield facetiously in the ribs,
" You see I 'm an old soldier, and aye march with twa
pistols — ane for my enemies, and anither for my friends.
Here, Sir, tak a sup o't — it will warm your heart this
cold morning."

The dew having fallen so heavily during the night,
as almost to wet through their thin clothmg, neither
Mansfield nor Charles made any objection to the Doc-
tor's proposal; and Charles, who was blessed with a
youthful appetite, that never failed him under any cir-
cumstances, having produced some biscuits and a piece
of cold venison, from the holsters of his saddle, our three
friends seated themselves on the grass ; and the energy
with which the worthy Doctor applied himself to gnaw-
ing the Ijones, after having wlietted his appetite by a

THE NIGHT MARCH. 203

hearty pull at his pocket-pistol, proved that, however
stiff his other joints might be, his jaws, at least, had
escaped uninjured.

Day had, in the mean time, been rushing on with
that rapidity peculiar to a tropical climate, where light
succeeds darkness almost instantaneously ; and, ere
their hasty meal was finished, nature burst into life;
and the glorious sun, rising in fiery splendour, poured a
flood of golden light into that sequestered valley — The
gloomy mountam-pass, which, an hour before, in the
darkness and silence of night, appeared a fitting haunt
for prowling beasts and birds of evil omen, now smiling
in all the luxuriant beauty of oriental scenery. The
woods, sparkling with dewdrops, festooned with beau-
tiful flowering creepers, and echoing to the tender
cooing of turtle-doves ; birds of gorgeous plumage,
wheeling, in joyous gambles, among-st the lofty tree-
tops ; the balmy morning air, loaded with perfume, and
breathing melody, — all conspired to soothe and calm the
ruffled spirits, to soften one's very nature, and make the
most careless observer, in his inmost heart, acknowledge
and worship the Almighty Power, which had given birth
to so much beauty.

" What a Heavenly scene is this!" exclaimed Charles,
after gazing for some minutes in silent admiration.

" It is, indeed, a Heavenly scene," replied Mansfield ;
" and yet how treacherous are its beauties ! — How
strange the thought, that this lovely spot should be the
chosen haunt of wild beasts — its perfumed atmosphere
a compound of deadly vapours; — looknig an earthly
Paradise, yet teeming with pestilence and death, like a

204 THE OLD FOHRST RANGER,

lovely woman, with the exterior of an angel, cherishing
a demon in her heart ! Methinks a group of dancing
wood-nymphs would form an appropriate foreground to
such a picture ; and yet, behold the stern reality — A
band of armed men — a naked savage, but one degree
removed from the beasts that perish ! — mangled car-
casses— death in its most ghastly form — and the steam
of reeking gore, ascending to Heaven, mingled with the
incense of flowers ! How forcibly doth such a contrast
as this bring to one's recollection the melancholy truth,
that fallen man has brought sin and death into the
world ! "

" Indeed, Sir, what you say is o'er true. It "'s just a
mischancy bit, this same glen ; and, bonny though it
be, I wish we were well out o"* it ; for, after what we hae
heard this blessed morning, it were a mere tempting o'
Providence to bide here ony longer. And, Oh, Sir,"
casting a rueful glance at the mangled remains of poor
Smiler, " is it no a sair sight to look at that poor beast
lying cold and stiff there, and the bonny green grass
steepit in his blood, and the sun shining sae bright, and
the bit birdies singing sae blythe and happy, as if there
was nae such thing as death in the world? And it
would be just the same, though you or me were lying
there in his place. — Poor Smiler — poor Smiler ; ye
were a good honest beast, although a wee short in the
temper, like myself. But you and me will never cast
out nae mair." And the poor Doctor, drawing the back
of his large hand across his eyes, pulled a flint and steel
from his pocket, and proceeded to strike a light for his
cheroot, humming, as he did so, a melancholy Scotch ditty.

THE NKtIIT march. 205

" Well, Doctor, you certainly are an unlucky clog in
some things," said Charles, smiling at the Doctor's
rueful countenance ; " and I must say that, of late, you
have come in for monkey's allowance, or worse ; but if
you do get into scrapes, it must be allowed you have a
wonderful knack of getting out of them again. Just
look back to the last four and twenty hours : within that
short space of time, you have been at the killing of a
Tiger on foot ; you have had an Elephant playing at
pitch-and-hustle ^^^th your unfortunate carcass ; and
taken the scalp of a Panther, single-handed. And here
you are, resting on your laurels, and smoking a cigar, as
if nothing had happened — a trifle battered, to be sure,
and minus yom- old horse, but covered with glory, and
having a trophy in that Panther-skin, which will, no
doubt, be preserved by the next ten generations of
Mc.Phees, as a memento of their illustrious ancestor.
Come, come, my dear Doctor, cheer up, and do not look
so miserable about it ; for, after all, you have much to
be thankful for."

" Aye, ISIaister Charles, what you say is very true.
I hae, indeed, much to be thankfu' for ; and I trust I
am no ungratefu'' for the providential way in which my
life has been spared. But, foolish though it be, I canna
look at that poor beast, without feeling as if I had lost
an auld and trusty friend." And the Doctor began to
puff his cheroot furiously, as if annoyed with himself for
being possessed of a good heart.

The baggage and followers had by this time come up,
and the dead Panther having been placed upon the
Elephant, a fresh horse was saddled for the Doctor,

206 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

The Jemmadar was dismissed with a handsome present
of ammunition and tobacco ; and, leaving the remains of
poor Smiler to become a prey to the Vultures, the three
Horsemen cantered off at a round pace, in hopes of
reaching the village where they intended to halt, before
the heat of the day had become oppressive.

The poor Doctor was so disconcerted by the loss of
his faithful steed, that he did not recover his wonted
spirits for the rest of that day ; and, after having tried
in vain to convince his companions that the mysterious
voice, which they attributed to an Owl, was a superna-
tural warning of poor Smiler's tragical end, he gave up
the point, and rode on, smoking his cheroot in moody
silence. But, from that day to this, he never exhibits
the Panther's skin, or tells the story of the Night March,
without assuring his hearers that, "as true as death,"
he heard the Banshee.

CHAPTER XII.
THE HALT.

The blazing Indian sun was already high in the
Heavens, and the reflected heat, from the scorched
earth, was becoming painfully oppressive, ere our three
Horsemen came in sight of the sequestered village,
where they intended to halt for the day. The cool tank,
near which it was situated, reflected brightly from its
glassy surface, the struggling sunbeams which found
their way through the dense grove of tamarind and
Indian fig trees, by which it was overshadowed ; pro-
raising to the wearied traveller the grateful luxuries of
deep shade and a refreshing bath. The panting steeds,
wliich, for the last hour, had been plodding along the
deep sandy road, with drooping heads and languid steps,
pricked their ears, expanded their wide nostrils, parched
with heat and clogged with fine particles of sand ; and,
uttering a low neigh of satisfaction, started off" at a
lively canter, towards the welcome halting-place.

" The Lord be thanked ! " exclaimed the Doctor,
throwing himself from the saddle the moment he en-
tered the grove, and stretching his gaunt limbs at full
length under the shade of a tamarind-tree.

" The Lord be thanked ! this day's work is over,
any how," — and pulling a flint and steel from his

208 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

hunting-pouch, he struck a light, applied the tinder to
a formidably large Trichinopoly cheroot,' which he had
already deposited in the corner of his mouth ; pulled
the peak of his cap well over his face, folded his arms
on his chest, and, closing his eyes, abandoned himself
to the full enjoyment of the narcotic weed. " Hech,
Sirs, but this is real luxury ! Ye may talk o' the luxury
o' a cigar to warm your nose on a frosty night, or a
merescham pipe of old canaster, to keep the fog out o'
a body"'s lungs on a misty morning, but gie me a shady
tree, and a good long Trinchinopoly, after a twenty
miles march, in an Indian sun. That 's the real luxury
— that 's the thing to soothe the tingling nerves, and
check the boiling o' the fevered blood, and fill a body's
head wi' pleasant thoughts, and gar him feel as though
he were in Paradise. Hech, Sirs, it 's fine, — it 's just a
perfect cordial — "
. " I am glad to see you looking so comfortable, my
old boy,''" said Mansfield, as he loosened the girths, and
removed the bridle from the head of his smoking horse.
•' I was afraid you would be completely knocked up, for
it has been a long and a hot march, to say nothing of
your adventure with the Panther ; but, if we may judge
by appearances, you seem to be in a fair way of re-
covering— "

" Hoot fie ! what for no ? " grunted the Doctor, with-
out unclosing his eyes. " I 'm no' just that far through
yet — Na, na, lad, it 's no' the rattling cart that coups
the soonest ; there 's a heap o' life in me yet, for a'
that 's come and gane. That brulzie I had with the
Ele])hant yesterday has gart the banes rattle in my

THE HALT. 209

skin a wee ; and, as I telt you afore, I 'm a trifle warped
in the back ; but I 'm no going to coup the creels on you
yet — na, na, I 'm finely noo — I 'm finely noo. Yon hot
ride has done me a hantle o' good, although I maun con-
fess it wasna the pleasantest remedy in the world. O
man, but them sheroots are prime tobaccy. Will ye try
ane, Captain ? "

" Not now, thank you," replied Mansfield, as he busied
himself in adjusting a halter round his horse's neck, and
fastened him to the stem of a tree. " I must rub down
poor little Challenger first, for he is steaming with heat,
and I would not have him get a stroke of the laud- wind
for ten times his value. No, my beauty, I should never
be able to mount myself so well again," continued Mans-
field, patting affectionately the arched neck of the beau-
tiful creatm-e, whose fleetness had gained for him the
spear of honour in many a well-contested field, and whose
glossy gray skin was now changed to purple, by excessive
heat and perspiration. The sagacious animal turned
his head, as if he understood the compliment paid him,
and gently rubbed his soft velvet muzzle against his
master's bronzed cheek. " Ay, Chally, boy, give me a
kiss ; you and I have had many a hard day's work
together, and shall have many more, please Fate, if care
and good grooming be of any avail. Quiet, you little
Tiger, — quiet, I say, — you are as full of tricks as a
young monkey."

" Od, Captain, but that 's a fine canny beast o' yours,"
said the Doctor, raising himself lazily on one elbow.
" Smiler, poor beast — he 's deed and gone now — Smiler
and me were gae good friends, too, when our tempers

p

210 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

warna out o' order ; but, at the best o'' times, I wadna
like to play wi' him yon way. Na, na, he wasna to be
compared to your horse, Captain."

" I should think not ! " replied Mansfield, smiling at
the simplicity of the Doctor, in attempting to draw a
comparison between the defunct Smiler and his favourite
Challenger.

" They say in Scotland, Sir, that a good man is good
to his beast, and if that be true, you maun be an unco
good man, and I as ill a ane ; for there are you and
Maister Charles, strapping away at your horses like two
regular bred Gorah-wallahs^ while I am lying here, at
my ease, and that poor beast, you were good enough to
gie me the loan o', standing reeking there, like a half-
slockened lime-kiln. I 'm no' very good at the grooming,
Sir, I 'm feared, but I '11 try what I can do."

" No, no, never mind, Doctor," replied Mansfield,
" he is a hardy old fellow that, and well used to it ; just
loosen his girths, and thi'ow your cloak over his loins, and
there is no fear of him. See, here comes the Cotwall,
so, if you wish to make yourself useful, you had better
speak to him, and try to procure some forage for the
horses, and some materials for our tiffin, for, it strikes
me, we shall be quite ready for it by the time the servants
arrive with the cowrie-baskets. Mind, Doctor, plenty
of eggs, a fowl or two, and, I think, after this long
march, we must treat our followers to a sheep."

" Aye, aye, Captain, let me alone for looking after the
victualling department ! I '11 take care that we have
plenty. De'il hae me, if ever I seed the like o"" yon ! "
continued the Doctor, as the Cotwall approached, shuf-

THE HALT. 211

fling along in his embroidered yellow slippers ; his ample
robes floating in the breeze, and twirling his mustache
with that self-sufficient swaggering air, which your good
Mussulman, particularly if he be a man in authority,
thinks it necessary to assume, when about to address an
inferior, or even an equal. " Just see to the airs the
long, blackaviced, tinker-like, slouch o' a fellow is putting
on. I 'm thinkin' he mistakes us for a parcel o' travel-
ling half-caste Apothecaries ; and, by my troth, we 're
black enough, and dirty enough, to pass for any thing.
Aye, I see fine what he would be at ; he 's going to come
the big man o"'er us. Ha ! ha ! I '11 hae some fun with
this birky." — Then, in a tone of command, — " Idder aou,
you Cotwall."

The Cotwall advanced, twirling his mustache, with a
supercilious grin, and stared the Doctor full in the face.

" Weel, Maister Cotwall, what vivars may this village
o"" yours afford ? It looks gae poor like, I maun confess ;
but I suppose ye can get us a wheen eggs, and a how-
tawdy and a pickle strae for the naigs — eh?"

The Cotwall smiled a grim smile, but made no answer.

" What are ye girnin"' at, ye black Pagan?" growled
the Doctor, " hae ye nae English?"

"Engliss?" replied the Cotwall, with an impudent
stare, "Engliss? O iss, Sar, Engliss I can speak very
proper. Suppose Faringee man speak Engliss, that
time I understand."

" Faringee man! Speak English! De'il be in his
black skin, he takes me for a Portuguese cook, and says
I canna speak English ! "

Mansfield and Charles, who were watching the scene
p 2

212 THE OLr> FORKST nANGER.

with much interest, laughed till their sides ached, but
did not attempt to spoil sport by interfei'ing.

" Chickens ! — Eggs ! — Strae for the horses !" shouted
the Doctor, at the very top of his voice. " That's plain
English, I 'm sure ; do ye understand me now ? "

" Wah ! wahV exclaimed the Cotwall^ raising his
eyebrows with a look of intelligence, " chickens ! —
yeggees I — abbah ! now I understand. Suppose Faringee
man give huckshish preshent — that time I make iwquiry."

" Give present, indeed ! Troth, my man, ye 'r no'
blate ! What should I see in your ill-faurt face to gie
you a present, ye muckle Malabar soo, — eh ? when ye
ken it 's your duty to provide travellers wi' what they
want, and to be ceevil to them into the bargain. Be oif
now, and get what I want directly, afore ye set my
birse up, else I '11 kick you, like a fut-ba\ frae this to the
bazarr, and back again. Start, I say!" and the Doctor
raised his foot, as if about to carry his threat into effect.

" Wah ! wah ! — what for Faringee man make so much
hohhery — eh?" replied the Coiwall, in an angry tone,
but, at the same time, retiring a few paces, and looking
rather aghast at the Doctor's warlike demonstrations.
" Suppose Master speak civil word, that time I do
Master's business." And, turning towards the village,
with a less consequential strut than he had assumed at
first, the Cotwall shuffled off, in no very amiable mood,
to execute the Doctor's commands.

" Od's my life, things are come to a pretty pass indeed,
when an M.D. o' the College of Edinburgh is taken for
a half-caste Apothecary, or a Portuguese cook, bearded
by a lousy Cotwall, and telt, to his very face, that he

TIIK IIAI.T. 213

canna speak English ! " — and the Doctor, uttermg a
surly grunt, threw himself once more at the root of the
tree, and began to pufF furiously at his cheroot.

" Well, Doctor, have you settled it at last ? " cried
Charles, laughing mischievously, and rather anxious to
encom-age the feud than otherwise. " I must say the
fellow used you with but scant ceremony. I do believe
he takes you for a half-caste in earnest.""

" Never ye mind," replied the Doctor, rather sulkily ;
" strap away at your horse, Maister Charles, and let me
alane to settle the Cotwall ; I '11 gar him open his een,
afore I 've done wi' him, else my name is no' Mc.Phee."

The Cotwall returned, before the Doctor's cheroot
was finished, followed by two crouching villagers, one
carrying in his hand a couple of half-starved, consump-
tive-looking chickens, and the other bending under a
huge bundle of dirty litter. This, the Cotwall asserted,
was the best the village afforded, and in a bullying tone
demanded, not only double the price of the articles, but
a present for his own trouble in procuring them.

The Doctor's blood began to boil, for he had a horror
of being imposed upon by any one, and more particularly
by a native : but, curbing his \vrath, by a strong effort,
he asked quietly why there were no eggs.

" Yegges, Sar!" replied the Cotwall, with an impu-
dent grin — for the Doctor's quiet manner had inspired
the bully with fresh confidence. " Yegges, no can find
— this very poor village, Sar — cicken, in this village, no
can make yeggees — look, Sar!" — pointing to the two
wretched specimens of the Gallince, which were flutter-
ing in the bony grasp of the no less wretched villager ;

214 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

" that cicken too muchie tin — how can that cicken make
yeggees — eh ? "

The sneering tone, in which this was said, was too
much for the Doctor's forbearance.

" De'il be in my skin, but I '11 learn you better
manners, afore we part!" cried he, starting to his feet,
and seizing the Cotwall by the beard. " How dare you
stand there, giming in a Gentleman's face, ye lang-
legged ne'er-do-weel. Is it no enough, that ye hae been
rapping out lee upon lee, for the last ten minutes, till
ye are amaist black in the face, without yokin at the
hinnerend, to laugh at your ain wit — eh, you misleer'd
loon 1 " Here the Doctor gave the unfortunate CotwaWs
beard a tremendous shake, extorting a yell of agony
from that dignified personage, and inspiring the timid
natives, who accompanied him, with such mortal fear,
that they dropped their loads, and fled for their lives.

" Will you ever presume to insult a Gentleman
again?" shouted the Doctor, giving him another shake,
that made his teeth rattle in his head. " Will you, you
black sinner I "

"iVe, Sahih ! — Allah, Allah !" shrieked the trembling
Cotwall.

" Aha, my fine fellow ! I thought I would make you
open your eyes afore I was done wi' you. Do you think
the hens will lay any eggs now, ye leein tyke ? Will they,
ye limb o' Satan — eh V Here another tremendous shake.
" JVe Sahib ! Master make pardon this one time — I
very bad man — plenty lie I tell. — Master please to let
go my beard, that time I make plenty yeggees come —
plenty yeggees — I tell true word."

THE HALT. 21 0

" Weel then, see that ye do so, and be quick about it.
And I say ! — just try if ye can persuade the hens to
look a wee thing fatter at the same time — Do ye hear ? "
So saying, the Doctor relaxed his hold of the CotwaWs
beard, and, spinning him round, gave him a shove, which
projected him several yards on his way towards the
village.

The crest-fallen Functionary, right glad to make his
escape, shuffled off with great precipitation, till he thought
himself at a safe distance, when he stopped, adjusted his
disordered robes, stroked his insulted beard, to assure
himself that it still adliered to his chin, and giving his
mustache a fierce twirl, as he faced round towards the
Doctor, spat upon the ground in token of insult and
defiance.

" Ha ! my lad, is that the way o 't ? Just bide there,
till I get a grip o' your goat's beard again," — and the
Doctor, jumping once more to his feet, made a furious
rush forward. But the Cotwall, like a yelping cur, who
perceives that a stone is about to be flung at his head,
turned tail, without further warning ; and, starting off" at
a pace, which must have occasioned no little surprise in
those accustomed to his usual stately official strut, never
stopped till he found himself safely within the walls of
the village.

" Hurra ! here comes the Peon, with the cowrie-
baskets, at last," cried Charles, rubbing his hands with
glee, at the prospect of a good breakfast, as a tall, hand-
some-looking Peon approached, followed by two naked
Coolies, covered with dust and perspiration, each balan-
cing across his shoulder an elastic bamboo, from either

216 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

end of which was suspended a circular rattan basket with
a conical top, covered with green oilcloth, and secured by
a brass padlock.

The wearied Coolies, having deposited their loads at
the root of a tree, with a deep grunt, expressive of the
relief they felt in so doing, rubbed their aching shoulders,
and, approaching Mansfield in a crouching posture, with
the palms of their hands brought together, and raised to
their foreheads, in the attitude of supplication, patted
their empty stomachs, — which had been drawn in for the
occasion, till they nearly touched the back-bone, — in the
most expressive manner. Mansfield, who perfectly un-
derstood their signals, smiled good-naturedly, and pro-
mised, that in consideration of the long march, a couple
of sheep should be distributed amongst them, as soon as
the other followers came up. At this joyful intelligence,
the wrinkled stomachs immediately resumed their natural
form ; all the fatigues of the march were forgotten ; and
the poor simple-hearted creatures — to whom a good
meal of animal food was an event in their lives — after
making a number of the most profound salaams, bounded
off to refresh themselves by a dip in the cool tank, and
to prepare their primitive cooking apparatus for the pro-
mised feast.

" Now then, if we could only get a good fat hen to
brander, and a wheen eggs to make an omelet, I ""m
thinkin', wi' the help o' these cold vivars, and twa or
three bottles o' this light claret, we may manage to
make an indifferently-good breakfast, or tiffin rather ;
for I 'm thinkin' the day has ta'en the turn afore now."
So said the Doctor, half soliloquizing and licking his

THE HALT. 217

Ups, as he busied himself in unpacking the contents of
the coivrie-basketS) consisting of a cold buffalo's hump,
a tongue or two, biscuits, rice, and other eatables ; to-
gether with a goodly store of French claret, Hodson's
ale, and brandy.

" Methinks you may do that same, with great safety,
friend JEsculapius," said Mansfield, tapping him on the
shoulder ; " and say gi'ace afterwards, with a clear con-
science, provided you have breath enough left to do so,
after lining your stomach with the many good things
you have been enumerating. Why, man, here is a break-
fast fit for a Prince, all ready to your hand — cold meat,
biscuits, beer, claret ! What would you have more ? "

" Hoot fie. Sir ; would ye hae us feed upon cauld
junk, like ignorant Pagans, after sic a march as this,
and us in the midst o' plenty ? Na, na, Sir, I hae nae
intention o' offending my stamach that way. We munna
want the brandered hen, or the omelet, on no account.
Let abe that tongue, Captain," continued the Doctor, as
Mansfield was about to help himself to a slice, with his
hunting-knife. " Let it abe, I say — mind, Sir, we are
no' in the jungles now, and we maun study manners a
little. Ye hae appointed me Clerk o' the kitchen, for
the present, and I maun insist on feeding you like a
Gentleman, whether ye will or no."

" Far be it from me, most sapient Doctor, to dispute
your authority,"" replied Mansfield. " You shall order
the time and manner of my feeding, as appears unto you
most fitting, and shall have eggs and fowls to your
heart's content, if it only be for the sake of bringing
that fellow the Cotwall to his senses. I shall slip

218 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Ayapali at him — I suspect the sight of a Peons belt
and silver badge coming from his friends, the travelling
Apothecaries, will astonish him a little. Here, Ayapah !"

" Sahib," answered Ayapah — the tall handsome-look-
ing Peon before mentioned — stepping up to Mansfield,
making a respectful salaam, and remaining as steady as
a Soldier on parade.

" Ayapah ! " said Mansfield, speaking in Hindoostanee,
"put on your belt again — go to the village, and bring
me the Cotwall, by the ears."

" Jo hookum, Sahib ! " replied Ayapah, without al-
tering a muscle. And facing to the right-about, he
marched away with a most soldier-like air.

" Had I told that fellow, Ayapah, to bring the Cot-
walVs head instead of his whole person, he would have
gone upon his mission with equal coolness, and obeyed
me to the letter," said Mansfield, smiling. "Ayapah !" —

" Sahib ! "

" I have changed my mind about the Cotwall — you
need not bring him by the ears. Just say I want him,
and see that he comes."

" Bhot Atcha, Sahib ^^ replied Ayapah, making his
salaam with the same imperturbable gravity, and march-
ing off" again with the same stately pace.

Ayapah soon returned, followed by the Cotwall,
cringing like a rated hound. The Peons belt of office
had acted like a talisman. A single glance was sufficient
to open the eyes of the astonished Functionary. Those
whom he had foolishly taken for half-caste Apothecaries,
and whom he fancied he might bully with impunity,
tm'ned out to be Burrah Sahibs ! — real Burrah Sahibs

THE HALT. 219

— there could be no doubt of the fact ; for their Peon
wore an embroidered shoulder-belt, and a silver badge.
Such visiters seldom honoured his village by their pre-
sence. Had he only been commonly civil, he might
have reckoned, with tolerable certainty, on a handsome
present. But he had insulted them, and instead of re-
ceiving a present, was nigh having the beard torn off his
chin. Oh ! Mustapha ! JMustapha ! — what dirt hast
thou been eating !

The CotwalVs cringing civility now became even more
disgusting than his former insolence had been. The
wretch grovelled in the dust. There was nothing good
enough for their Excellencies — the Burrah Sahibs —
Clean straw came tumbling in by waggon-loads — Hens
laid eggs by word of command — The starved chickens
were suddenly transfonned into well-fed capons. — And
a troop of Dancing-girls, dark-eyed Houries, from the
neighbouring Pagoda, were sent for to charm their
Highnesses into good humour, by their bewitching
smiles and graceful movements. — Every man, woman,
and child in the village, were the bounden slaves of
their Mightinesses ; and of these, the most devoted
was Mustapha himself, who, not contented with ex-
hausting his whole vocabulary of highflown Oriental
compliments, made an ostentatious display of his dis-
interested zeal in their service, by banging the ears of
an unfortunate Ryot, with the heel of his slipper, and
calling him a cheating rascal, for daring to ask half the
price for clean straw and fat capons, which lie himself
had demanded, half an hour before, for dirty litter and
starved chickens.

220 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

In short, the amiable Mustapha spared no pains to
make himself agreeable, and gain " Master's favour.""
But the JBurrah Sahib was inflexible, and no huckshish
was forthcoming. Mansfield turned a deaf ear to all his
highflown compliments ; and, after reading him a lecture
on the impropi'iety of attempting to impose upon unfor-
tunate Half-castes ; and assuring him that the first time
he heard of his being uncivil to any traveller, of any
rank whatever, he would report his conduct to the Col-
lector of the district, and have him removed from his
situation ; he dismissed him with merely the price of
the things he had provided, whilst a handsome present
was given to the Dancing-girls and other Natives.

This was touching the avaricious Cotwall in the right
place. Had Mansfield broken a stick over his head, and
given him a few rupees to buy a plaster withal, he had
pocketed the affront with thanks. But to see his in-
feriors pocketing their rupees, whilst he, the Great Man,
was sent away disgraced and empty-handed, was gall
and wormwood to his grasping spirit. — As the Doctor
remarked with a chuckle —

" It was touching the life o' the niggardly craiter —
his heart's blood — the very marrow o' his banes."

The Doctor''s culinary operations now progressed ra-
pidly, and the good cheer he provided was done ample
justice to by his hungry companions, after they had
refreshed themselves by a change of dress, and a swim
in the cool tank.

The tents amved and were pitched. The Shikaree
of the village was summoned to an audience, and reported
that the surrounding country abounded with wild Hog,

THE ITALT. 221

and that amongst them was a certain Boar of gigantic
size, which had, for years, been the terror of the Ryots,
and had laughed at the beards of the most skilful Shi-
karees; but which, he had no doubt, would fall beneath
the invincible spear of his Highness — the terror and
destroyer of wild beasts.

Scouts were despatched in all directions to gain in-
telligence of the mighty Boar. A goodly band of Coolies
were ordered to be in attendance by to-moiTow's dawn.
A couple of sheep were killed, and distributed amongst
the happy camp-followers ; fires blazed in all directions ;
earthen pots boiled and bubbled ; the light-hearted Na-
tives, calculating on the morrow as a day of rest, aban-
doned themselves to all the joys of feasting and merri-
ment ; and, long after midnight, happy voices might be
heard, chanting wild Hindoostanee airs to the simple
accompaniment of the zittar or the tom-tom.

CHAPTER XIII.
BOAR-HUNTING.

" I DECLARE it is nearly ten o'clock ! The sun is
already hot enough to broil one's brains into an ome-
lette, and still no sign of our Scouts returning."

So said Charles, pulling out his watch, and returning
it to his pocket with an impatient gesture, as he sat,
lounging indolently under the fly of the tent, the kun-
nauts of which were raised, and supported on bamboos,
to act as a verandah, and to admit of a free circulation
of air.

A substantial breakfast had already been disposed of.
The horses had been visited, to ascertain that their feet
were in good order after yesterday's march ; that they
had been well groomed, and that no water had been
given them. Saddles, bridles, girths, and stirrup-leathers,
had been carefully overhauled. Spear-heads had been
sharpened to the last degree of keenness ; and our three
Nimrods having now nothing further to occupy their
attention, were waiting, in a feverish state of impatience,
for the return of the Scouts, who had been despatched,
on the previous evening, to gain intelligence of the
famous Boar.

The dense shade of the overhanging trees, tempered
the heat of the land-wind, which sighed through the

ROAR-HUNTIXG. 223

grove, rendering it cool and refreshing. But the strag-
gling sunbeams, which here and there darted through
the dense foHage, dancing and sparkhng on the glassy
surface of the tank, with intense, almost painful bril-
liancy ; the glimpses of the open country, which were
caught through the stems of the trees, showing the
parched earth glowing like heated copper, and the tall
palm-trees twisting and twining like gigantic snakes, in
the fiery haze, bore ample testimony to the scorching
heat of the tropical sun which blazed overhead.

A himdred Coolies — almost as wild-looking as the
animals for which they were to beat — all nearly naked,
and many of them armed with rusty matchlocks, livmt-
ing-spears, or wood-knives, were lounging about in pic-
turesque groups under the shade of the trees. The old
baggage Elephant, wearied with his long march, stood
dozing listlessly under the shadow of a widely-spreading
Banian, and fanning himself with the feathery branch of
a palm-tree, to protect his skin from the stings of the
buzzins: insects which swarmed around him. And a
group of smiling Natch-girls, encouraged to repeat their
visit, by the handsome present of the previous day ; and
now, having their charms set off to the best advantage,
by all the glittering finery of Indian Belles, with large
gold rings depending from their noses, their necks loaded
with jewels, massive silver bangles encircling their slen-
der, well-turned, ankles ; their braided hair, decked \vith
wreaths of the sweet-smelling Maugree, and their silken
robes filling the air with the perfume of sandal-wood,
were twining their graceful figures in the dance, and
darting the most bewitching glances from their large

224 TTIE OLD FOREST RANGER,

voluptuous dark eyes, in the vain hope of charming the
impatient Sportsmen, whose minds, however, were too
fully occupied by floating visions of panting steeds, blood-
stained spears, and foaming Boars, to be captivated by
the charms of the fascinating Syrens.

The Doctor was lounging indolently in an arm-chair,
with a cheroot in his mouth, as usual, twirling his thumbs,
and nodding his head approvingly, as any particularly
graceful movement of the Natch-girls happened to
meet with his approbation ; and Mansfield was amusing
himself by giving a finishing touch to the keen edge of
his favourite Hog-spear, on a fine hone ; when Charles,
who was by far the most impatient and watchful of the
party, started from his seat, with an exulting shout,
which brought the performance of the Natch-girls to an
abrupt conclusion.

" Hurra ! here come our Scouts, at last ! "

The Natch-girls, startled by the sudden exclamation,
shrunk aside, and made way for two panting Shikarees,
covered with dust and perspiration, who, advancing at a
long, easy, wolf-like trot, and, halting in front of the tent,
announced with a profound salaam, that a large sounder
of Hog, headed by the far-famed Boar, had been marked
down, amongst the Hills, a few miles from camp.

" Boot and saddle ! spurs and spears ! and hurra for
the man that first draws blood from the old Boar ! "
shouted Mansfield, starting to his feet, and brandishing
aloft his light elastic spear — a faultless male bamboo
from the jungles of the Concan, about ten feet long,
tough as whalebone, and tapering away beautifully to
the smaller end, where it terminated in a keen glittering

BOAR-HUNTING.

''>'>n

blade, about the size and shape of a laurel-leaf — a blade
which had reeked with the blood of many a grisly Boar.

'• Gorah lao ! " was now the cry ; and, in less than five
minutes, three snorting steeds, accoutred for the field,
were pawing the ground impatiently, in front of the
tent.

Mansfield's favourite hunter, Challenger, was the very
model of a perfect Arab ; a light iron-gray, with broad
expanded forehead, deep jowl, fine tapering muzzle, wide
nostrils, and beautifully-placed ears ; his thin withers,
well-placed shoulder, rouud carcass, compact joints, and
long, sloping, muscular quarters, gave promise of un-
common strength and fleetness ; whilst a full dark eye,
mild as that of the Gazelle, but beaming with the latent
fire and indomitable courage of a true son of the desert,
belied him much, if his endurance were not equal to his
speed. In short, his figure was perfect symmetry, with
the exception of his legs, which, although perfectly
sound, were sorely disfigured by many a bruise and deep
unsightly scar. Such blemishes would have given great
ofience to an English eye ; but, to one accustomed to
the headlong pace at which the Indian Hog-hunter urges
his horse over the rocky hills, and through the thorny
jungles of the Deccan, those honourable wounds, the
inevitable portion of every good horse, who has carried
a good rider, excited no surprise, and but little regret.

Cliarles's horse, Lightning, a bright chestnut, had also
sprung from Araby's best blood ; but his clean, unble-
mished, wiry limbs, showed that he, like his master, had
seen but little service in the field ; whilst his fiery eye,
restless ears, and fretful movements, together with the

226 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

unusually long-cheeked bit, with which his bridle was
furnished, led one to suspect, that his temper, like that
of most horses of his colour, was somew^hat of the
hottest.

The horse provided for the Doctor, was a strong,
short-legged, serviceable-looking hack ; exhibiting some-
what less breeding, and less appearance of speed than
his companions, whilst the deep hollows over his eyes,
together with his subdued manner, looked as if age, and
hard service, had somewhat tempered the fire of his
youth. But this was no disadvantage in the eyes of the
Doctor, who, although a keen Sportsman, had never
been remarkable for desperate riding ; and, provided he
kept the chase in view, and came up in time to blood
his spear before the Boar had actually drawn his last
breath, it was a matter of very little importance to him,
who took the first spear ; the " spear of honour " he
never would allow it to be, for, as he very justly re-
marked, the dangerous part of the sport often began
after that had been taken.

The Sportsmen now mounted, without loss of time,
and rode out of the grove, followed by their respective
Horsekeepers, and the whole party of Beaters. Not a
cloud appeared in the whole wide expanse of deep blue
sky, to veil the splendour of the tropical sun, which shot
down his vertical rays with an intensity of heat, that
threatened to penetrate to the brain, even through the
thick hunting-caps, and damp towels, which the Sports-
men had provided, to protect their heads. A silence,
deep as that of midnight, pervaded the land : for nature
was faint with heat, and every living thing had sought

BOAR-IIUNTING, 227

shelter from the merciless glare of an Indian noon, save
the hardy Hog-hunters, and the ever-ravening Vultm-e,
which, soaring at an immense height, almost beyond the
reach of human vision, swept through the air in wide
extended circles, seeking his obscene food in the very
eye of the blazing sun.

An hour's easy riding brought them to the place
where the Hogs were said to be marked do>Mi ; it was
a rocky hill, thinly clothed with stunted brushwood, and
rising abruptly from a bare stony plain intersected by
numerous dry nullahs or watercourses, and dotted, in
the extreme distance, with clumps of palm-trees, and
fields of sugar-cane, to which the Hogs were in the habit
of resorting to feed during the night.

Having ascertained the nature of the position, by a
rapid glance of his experienced eye, Mansfield issued the
necessary orders to his Beaters, and then desired Charles
and the Doctor to follow him to a small clump of date-
trees, near the foot of the hill, where they, and their
horses, might lie in ambush, till the Hogs were roused.

Having carefully concealed themselves amongst the
trees, and ascertained that neither they, nor their
horses, were visible from the hill-side, the riders dis-
mounted, and waited with breathless impatience for the
first joyous shout of the Beaters. Charles's heart beat
almost audibly as he peeped through the leafy screen
which concealed them, expecting every moment to hear
the yell, which announced the finding of the mighty
Boar, and to see the grisly monster dash headlong down
the rocky steep. But half an hour had elapsed, during
which the deep silence was unbroken, and the excited

q2

228 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

feelings of the young Sportsman were beginning to subside
into something very hke disappointment, when a distant
shout came faintly on his ear, from the opposite side of
the hill. Mansfield, who had been smoking his cigar,
and chatting carelessly with the Doctor, started at the
well-known sound. A gi-im smile curled his lip, and fire
flashed from his kindling eye, as he bounded to his feet,
grasped his spear, and sprang into the saddle.

" Now, lads, mount ! *" said he, settling himself firmly
in his seat, and grasping the reins. " Mount, and be
ready ; we shall have him afoot directly."

The others mounted in haste, and fixed their longing
eyes on the side of the opposite hill, whilst every nerve
tingled, with an almost sickenmg sensation of wild ex-
citement.

" I see him ! I see him ! " said Charles in an eager
whisper ; at the same time tightening his reins, and
closing his heels, with an involuntary jerk, which made
the impatient Lightning snort and rear.

" For Heaven's sake, Charles ! keep that fidgetty
brute of yours quiet," replied Mansfield, in a chiding
tone, as the gigantic Boar was seen to rise slowly from
his solitary lair on the hill-side, shaking his gray hide
like a roused Lion, and turning his head to listen to the
approaching shouts of his pursuers. " Steady, steady —
not a move till I give the word, ' ride,' and then you
may knock the fire out of master Lightning as soon as
you like. That Boar will try his metal both in running
and fighting, else I 'm mistaken."

The Beaters were, by this time, coming over the crest
of the hill ; and the Boar, apparently satisfied that his

UOAK-UL'XTING. 229

enemies were advancing in too great force for him to
attempt resistance, began to steal away through the
brushwood, stopping occasionally to listen, as if debating
with himself, whether to make for the plain, and trust
to his speed for safety, or to turn, and charge gallantly
amongst his pursuers.

Chai'les, in the excitement of the moment, was se-
veral times on the point of raising a shout to inform the
Beaters that the Boar was afoot, and to urge them for-
ward ; but a glance from Mansfield's fro\Miing eye im-
mediately checked him.

The ground now becoming more open, the Boar in-
creased his pace to a shambling trot ; and, the eager
Beaters having at the same moment caught sight of
him, a wild unearthly yell arose, as if a whole legion of
devils were at his heels. The chafed brute stood for
one moment with upraised bristles, churning the wliite
foam between his jaws ; then, uttering a short, angry
grunt, that seemed to announce his desperate determma-
tion of trying his speed across the plain, he dashed down
the hill, and disappeared in the brushwood.

" Now we have him ! Now for a glorious burst ! " ex-
claimed Mansfield, grasping his spear more firmly, and
shortening his reins, in the hope of seeing the mighty
Boar burst gallantly from the belt of low jungle which
skirted the foot of the hill. But no Boar appeared, and
Mansfield was about to give vent to his feelings in a very
unseemly oath, when a thick patch of brushwood, inmie-
dlately below the Beaters, appeared in violent motion,
and, next moment, a whole sounder of Hog burst from
the cover, and came scrambling down the hill ; their

230 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

round black backs rising and falling in quick succession,
like a shoal of porj^oises tumbling along the face of a
giant wave. The excited Beaters redoubled their yells,
and the terrified animals, dashing at once through the
belt of jungle, took to the open ground without hesita-
tion.

"Ride!" shouted Mansfield, in a voice clear as a
trumpet-sound. And at that thrilling cry, the three
Horsemen, darting from their concealment, like lightning
from a thunder-cloud, urged their snorting hunters across
the plain at the very top of their speed.

Charles"'s hot-blooded chestnut went tearing along
with his head and tail in the air, and the bit in his
teeth, as if determined that nothing should stop him till
he was brought up, by running his head against a stone
wall, or till he succeeded in breaking his own neck, or
that of his rider, in one of the numerous ra\dnes which
lay so opportunely in the way. But this was no time
to argue the point with a runaway horse, and Charles
let him go to his heart's content.

The Doctor followed at a less headlong pace; but,
to do him justice, he plied the spurs, and made the old
horse do his best.

" Now Charles, my boy — now for the spear of honour ! "
cried JNIansfield, as he and Charles rode neck and neck,
at a racing pace, over the most terrific ground. " We
are tolerably well matched as to speed, I see ; and, if
you can draw first blood, to dim the lustre of your
maiden spear, you shall bear the palm, and welcome ;
but, by the Prophet ! you must ride for it."

" Hurra ! here goes for first blood then ! " cried

BOAR-HUXTIXG. 231

Charles in an exulting tone, at the same time shaking
the reins, and driving the spurs into his fiery horse,
already mad with excitement and lathered with foam,
whilst the more temperate Challenger, although urged
to his utmost speed, had hardly turned a hair.

Hurra ! hurra ! away they scour like Falcons darting
on their prey ; the hard-baked earth ringing like metal
beneath their horses' iron-shod hoofs, and a long train of
dust rising like smoke behind them.

Although the two horses were, in fact, well matched
as to speed, Chai-les's light weight soon began to tell, in
favour of his horse Lightning, who gradually crept ahead
of his antagonist, till, by the time they had got within a
hundred yards of the Hog, he was nearly half that
distance in advance.

" Shall I try it?" exclaimed Charles, looking over his
shoulder, and addressing Mansfield, as the leading Boar,
much to his astonishment, bounded, with the agility of
an antelope, over a yawning ravine, which happened to
cross his path — a dry watercourse, with rocky, half-
decayed banks, which looked as if they would crumble
into dust under the light foot of a fawTi, and as break-
neck-looking a place, as the most desperate horseman
would care to ride at.

"Ay, ay ! go along !" replied Mansfield. " A good
horse can always follow where a Boar leaps, but keep his
head straight, and rattle him at it, as if you were in
earnest ; for, by mine honour, it is not a place that will
improve on acquaintance."

Charles, who was just in the mood to ride at the
Styx, if it had come in his way, drove in the spurs, and

232 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

went at the leap with the heart of a Lion ; but, just as he
reached the brink, his violent brute of a horse, who had
hitherto gone with his head in the air, and his mouth
^vide open, as if he neither knew nor cared whether
there was any impediment in his way or not, suddenly
swerved, and wheeling round, with a loud snort, dashed
off at right angles.

The well-trained Challenger, on the contrar}% accus-
tomed to jSIansfield's resolute manner of riding, and
knowing, from experience, that it was in vain for him to
refuse any thing at which he was put, cocked his ears,
gathered his hind-legs well under him, and quickening his
stroke, as he approached the ravine, cleared it in beau-
tiful style, although the decayed rock, from which he
sprung, gave way, just as his hind-feet quitted it, and
rolled thundering to the bottom of the nullah.

Charles had, by this time, succeeded in -turning his
horse, and putting him once more at the leap, with his
head held straight, and the spurs goring his sides, the
snorting brute went at it like a charging Tiger, bounding
high into the air, and clearing the ravine by several feet.

The race for the first spear was now resumed in earnest,
Charles straining every nerve to recover lost ground, and
come up with Mansfield, who, having singled out the
largest Boar, was now pressing hard upon his haunches ;
the angry brute, with foaming jaws and flaming eyes,
uttering, from time to time, a short savage gi-unt, and
swerving from side to side, to avoid the deadly thrust of
the spear, which quivered, like a sunbeam, within a few
inches of his heaving flanks.

Charles was now nearly alongside of Mansfield, and

BOAR-HUNTIXG. 233

gaining upon him at every stride. Both horses were
beginning to show symptoms of distress ; but the gallant
little Challenger still answered to the spur, and by one
desperate bound, brought Mansfield almost within spear's
lenoih of the Boar. A long reach will do it now — and a
grim smile of triumph passed over Mansfield's swarthy
cheek, as he leaned over his horse's neck, and made a
desperate lunge at the flying Boar, He has it ! — No !
it was an inch too short, — Another stride will do it. —
Again the trusty Challenger bounded to the spur — again
the spear was poised for the fatal thrust — another second,
and the glittering blade would have been quenched in
blood; when the Boar made a short turn to the right,
and dashed across Charles's horse. The terrified animal
made a bound to clear the Hog, and as he did so, Charles
thrust his spear awkwardly forward, without aim or
direction ; the point, however, went true to its destina-
tion, and passing through the Boar's brawny shoulder,
buried itself in the earth. The horse, at the same
instant, stumbled over the wounded Boar, and came to
the ground with a tremendous crash, depositing his rider
in the position of a spread eagle, some ten yards beyond
him, and shivering the tough bamboo shaft of the spear
in a thousand pieces. But the spear of honom* has been
fairly won, and who cares for broken bones ! Hurra !

The wounded Boar scrambled to his feet, with the
splintered lance still sticking in his flesh, and uttering
a savage grunt, was about to rush upon the prostrate
Himter, when Mansfield, coming up at speed, speared
him through the heart, and rolled him over in the bloody
sand as if .struck by a flaiih of lightning.

234 THE OLD FOREST RWGER.

Whilst Mansfield and Charles were thus engaged, the
Doctor was not idle. Following in the wake of his com-
panions, he had fallen in with a little half-grown Hog,
technically termed a Squeaker, which, having been unable
to keep up with the rest of the sounder, now appeared in
a fair way of falling a victim to the Doctor's prowess,
although he still made a good race with the old horse
across the plain.

Charles, having gathered himself up, and ascertained
that neither he nor his horse were materially injured by
their fall, was heartily congratulated by Mansfield on his
good fortune in taking the spear of honour ; and the two
young men, having loosened the girths of their smoking
hunters, now awaited, with much interest, the issue of
the struggle between the Doctor and the unfortunate
Squeaker.

"Ha! ha! ha! a goodly sight. By mine honour, a
goodly sight!'"* exclaimed Mansfield, doffing his heavy
hunting-cap, and waping the perspiration from his fore-
head, whilst his sides shook with laughter at the strange
grotesque figure which the Doctor exhibited. " Behold
a second Don Quixote ! The Knight of La Mancha
himself turned Hog-hunter ! Heavens and earth, how
he rides ! some evil spirit hath surely possessed him.
Ha ! ha ! ha ! Rare — oh, rare ! "

Leaning well forward, with his lance couched, like a
Knight of old riding a tilt, and rattling his old horse over
the stones, at a terrific pace, on came the Doctor in a
cloud of dust : his elbows projecting at right angles
from his body ; his trousers, which were guiltless of
straps, rolled up, by the friction of the saddle, nearly to

BOAU-HUNTING. 235

the knees ; and his long, loose-jointed legs, bloody with
spurring, banging against his horse's sides, at every
bound, as if, from the knee downwards, they were per-
fectly unconnected with the rest of his body, and were
merely ingenious machines, suspended from the saddle,
to act as stimulants to the animal's speed. His broad-
brimmed straw hat had, long ago, parted company with
his head, but being attached to his buttonhole by a piece
of ribbon, now flapped and fluttered in the wind behind
him. His gaunt features, which, during the last few
days, had been scorched to a fiery red, by the action of
the sun, now glowed like a mask of heated copper, the
big drops of perspiration, which fell in a copious shower
upon his horse's mane, appearing actually to hiss and boil
as they rolled over it. In short, his figure was, alto-
gether, as perfectly grotesque, as any thing can well be
imagined ; and the effect of the scene was not a little
heightened when, on a nearer approach, the traces of
intense excitement became visible on his countenance ;
his eyes rolling wildly, his teeth firmly clenched, like the
jaws of a rat-trap, and his parched lips trembling with
eagerness, as he wheeled his snorting horse from side
to side, making desperate but vain attempts to strike
the active animal, which now, nearly exhausted, had
begun to double amongst the bushes, like a hunted
hare.

" Well done, Doctor ! Well done. Piggy ! Gallantly
thrust ! Beautifully doubled ! " cried the two young men,
clapping their hands, and shouting with all the eager-
ness of spectators at a well-contested race. But the
Doctor was much too intent u})on securmg his prey, to

236 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

pay any attention to their exclamations, and went on
spurring, and poking, and panting, and grinning, with
desperate energy. At length, after many fruitless at-
tempts, and being more than once nearly unhorsed, by
digging the point of his spear into the ground, his efforts
were crowned w^th success. A lucky thrust transfixed
the panting Squeaker, and the worthy Doctor, brandish-
ing his spear, gave vent to as hearty a shout of triumph,
as if it had been dyed in the blood of a second Cretan
Boar.

" Now, Gentlemen," said Mansfield, as the Doctor
dismounted, lighted his ever ready cigar, and seated
himself on a stone, " I shall give you five minutes to let
your nags recover their wind after this little spurt, and
then we must have another beat for the Great Boar.
This is mere child's play to the work we shall have, if
we can only get him to break cover."

"Child's play ca' ye it?" exclaimed the Doctor,
rubbing his aching limbs, and shifting his seat uneasily.
" My certie, it may be sae ; but I '11 tell ye this. Captain,
they maun be gae strong tykes o' bairns that play at it.
Just look at that poor beast," pointing to the old horse ;
" see to him, the way his tail is shaking, and his knees
trembling, and his flanks heaving like a pair o' smithy
bellows. Troth, Sir, I 'm thinking it was nae bairn's play
for him, nor for me neither, and far less for that poor
wee forajaskit looking deevle," pointing to the bleeding
carcase of the little Pig which lay at his feet. " Hech,
Sirs!" continued he, in a moralizing tone — for the
excitement of the chase having subsided, he began
to view his victory in a less pleasing light, and his

BOAK-nUNTING.

*>Q"

tender heart smote him, for having hunted the un-
fortimate Squeaker to death, with such ruthless per-
severance. " Hech, Sirs ! to think o' me, at my re-
spectable time o' life, rampaging across the country,
after thae twa daft Laddies, riding fit to brain mysel',
and amaist foundering a good naig; and a' for what?
To hae the honour o' sticking a Soo ! and no a respec-
table sized Soo even, far less a Boar ; but just a poor
meeserable bit grise, that it 's a perfect sin and dis-
grace for ony respectable man to take the life o'. Weel,
weel, they say there are nae fules like auld fules, and
I believe it 's o'er true." And having arrived at this
comfortable conclusion, the worthy Doctor went on
mopping his face, and puffing his cigar, with the air of
a philosopher.

As soon as the horses had pretty well recovered their
wind, the Sportsmen remounted, and rode slowly back
towards the hill, from whence the sounder of H02: had
been driven. The Beaters had already assembled on
the plain, leaving a few experienced Shikarees, perched
upon commanding eminences, to prevent the possibility
of the old Boar, which had not yet broken cover, from
stealing away unobserved. ]\Iansfield had just selected
a tough and well-poised spear, from amongst the spare
weapons carried by his Horsekeeper, and was explaining
to Charles the proper manner of holding it, showing him
how the other had been broken in consequence of his
stiff manner of carrying the weapon, tucked under his
arm, like the lance of a dragoon, instead of being lightly
poised in the right hand ; when a shout from one of the
lookout men attracted his attention, and, on looking up,

238 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

he beheld a Native perched upon a pinnacle of rock,
waving his puggarie, and pointing, vi^itli eager ges-
tures, down the side of the hill, opposite to where they
stood.

" By Heavens he 's off!"" exclaimed Mansfield, putting
spurs to his horse, and starting at a hand gallop.
" Follow me, Gentlemen ; but do not press your horses
too hard at first, we shall want all the wind they can
spare, when we get to the other side of the hill."

The belt of jungle, which skirted the base of the hill,
obliged the Horsemen to make a considerable detour,
and, by the time they reached the opposite side, the
crafty old Boar, who had availed himself of a quiet mo-
ment to steal away, as he fancied, imobserved, now
appeared a mere speck on the surface of the plain,
making direct for another rocky hill, about two miles
distant.

"Now, my lads, go along," cried Mansfield, giving
Challenger his head, and urging him at once to the top
of his speed. " He has got a tremendous start, and
nothing but hard riding will avail us now ; for, if he
once gains yonder hill, our horses, blown as they must
be, will stand but little chance of bringing him to
action."

The Boar, finding himself hitherto impursued, had
been cantering along, at an easy pace, so that his pur-
suers gained upon him rapidly at first ; but, no sooner
did he hear the clatter of hoofs behind him, than he
turned half romid, as if some faint idea of doing battle
had crossed his mind, and then, uttering a savage grunt,
bounded off at a pace, which, had he been able to main-

BOAR-HUNTING. 231)

tain it for any length of time, would have rendered pur-
suit hopeless.

" Now is the time to press him," cried Mansfield,
urging his willing horse to still greater exertions, al-
though the poor brute was already straining every nerve
to the uttermost. " If we can only keep him at this
pace, for another half-mile, we shall force the sulky brute
to show fight, whether he will or no ; and then, Charles,
my boy, we shall have a first spear worth contending
for."

They were now nearing the hill fast, and, as they ap-
proached it, the ground over which they rode, neck and
girth, at such headlong speed, assumed every moment a
more terrific appearance. In fact, it appeared almost
miraculous that horses should be able to cross it at all ;
for, independently of the yawning ravines, and rocks,
and thorny bushes which impeded their progress, the
ground was so completely broken up by holes and
fissures, just sufficiently concealed, by stunted grass, to
prevent the rider seeing them, till his horse was in the
act of flying over them, that even at a foot pace, a
horseman would have found some difficulty in picking his
steps over it. Still, they pressed forward with undi-
minished ardour, and, save a few desperate stumbles, no
accident had yet occurred.

The Boar was evidently sinking fast, and the Horse-
men gaining upon him. Mansfield was already suf-
ficiently near to mark the malignant twinkle of his little
gray eye, as he glanced suspiciously over his shoulder,
mea.suring the distance, and calculating whether he had
better turn upon his pursuers, or niake one more despe-

240 THE OLD FOREST RANGEK.

rate effort to gain the shelter of the hill. But still the
foaming brute kept beyond the reach of his spear.

"The Devil take him, he'll beat us, after all," ex-
claimed Mansfield, driving the spurs madly into the
flanks of his gasping horse, lifting him with both hands,
and throwing him bodily forward — his heart smote him
as he did so, for, even in the wild excitement of that
moment, he could feel the gallant brute reeling under
him with fatigue.

" Bravely done, my trusty Challenger," cried Mans-
field, in an exulting tone. " One more such stride, and
the spear is mine."

True to the last, the high-spirited creature once more
answered to the spur ; but it was like the last bound of
a wounded Deer. He stumbled, his trembling limbs
gave way under him, and horse and rider rolled upon
the ground. Next moment the Boar had reached the
goal ; and now, considering himself safe from further
pursuit, began slowly to scramble up the rugged ascent,
his lolling tongue, foaming jaws, and staggering gait,
bearing ample testimony to the severity of the chase.

Charles, whose once fiery horse was now so effectually
blo^vn, that he no longer answered to the spur, except
by a faint groan, seeing that the case was desperate,
raised himself in the stirrups, and hurled his spear after
the Boar ; but the weapon fell harmless amongst the
rocks, and the excited Boy, throwing himself from his
reeling horse, stamped upon the ground with rage and
vexation.

Reader, hast thou ever chased a goodly Boar over
the scorching plains,' and rocky hills of the Deccan, till

BOAR-HU.VTIXG.

241

thy blood boiled, and thy brain reeled, and thy best
horse sunk under thy weight ? Hast thou ever, at the
very moment when thy thirsty spear quivered over his
brawny back — yea, even as the death halloo was rising
to thy lips — seen the foaming brute dash into thorny
jungle, or gain the sanctuary of inaccessible rocks ?
Hast thou ever seen him thus laugh at thy beard, whilst
thou stoodest gnawing thy finger-ends in impotent
^^Tatll ? If thou hast, but not unless, thou may est be
able to form some faint idea of our young Hog-hunter's
feelings, as he watched the slow progress of the panting
Boar ; fancying that he could almost have overtaken
him on foot, and yet knowing full well, that he was
effectually beyond his reach. It was the very torment
of Tantalus. — Losing a Fox is bad — ^Missing a Stag of
ten, with both barrels of thine own favourite rifle — par-
ticularly if thou hast stalked him for the best part of a
hot August day before getting the shot — is worse. But
to be baffled by an old gray Boar, with tusks nine inches
long, after having foundered thy best Hunter, and im-
bibed a sufficient quantity of caloric to keep all the
juices in thy body up to the boiling point for the next

twenty-four hours, is — is . Discreet Reader, we

leave thee, in the fulness of thy imagination, to fill up
the blank, with any epithet thou thinkest most appro-
priate ; if a Hog-hunter, thou wilt be at no loss ; if
not, we would venture to recommend something rather
energetic.

" Well, there is an end of it, I suppose ; for the Devil
himself would hardly attempt to face that pile of rocks,"
said Charles, in a desponding tone, as he withdrew his

242 THE OLD FOREST UANGER.

longing eyes from the Boar, and addressed Mansfield,
who, having replaced his battered hunting-cap, and
shaken the dust from his clothes, was carefully examin-
ing Challenger's knees, to ascertain what damage they
had sustained in the fall.

" It is bad riding-ground enough," replied he, coolly ;
" but we must try it. — The Boar is all but done for,
and if we can only keep him in view, and force him to
cross the hill, we shall make short work of it in the
plain beyond. Just keep your eye upon him, in the
mean time, and see that he does not give us the slip
again."

The well-conditioned horses, although effectually blown
by the severity of the first burst, soon recovered their
wind, and the Horsemen, remounting, began to climb the
steep ascent, picking their steps with difficulty, and clam-
bering amongst rocks and loose stones, where it appeared
hardly possible, even for a goat, to find secure footing.
Yet the hardy and sure-footed little Arabs persevered.
And, after a toilsome scramble, the Hunters succeeded
in driving the Boar over the crest of the hill, and had
the satisfaction of seeing him fairly on his way towards
the plain.

Here Mansfield reined up his horse for a moment, to
let him recover breath; while he glanced his keen eye
around, to discover the most practicable place for making
a descent. Then, sitting well back, and grasping the
reins firmly, he put spurs to his horse, and dashed, at
speed, down the rocky hill-side ; which, although much
less precipitous than the one they had ascended, was still
sufficiently so, to have scared any other horseman than a

BOAR-HrNTIXG. 243

desperate Hog-hunter, with his blood, as we said before,
at the boiling point ; and even for him to attempt it,
on a tired horse, appeared little short of madness. At
least so thought our friend the Doctor, who, having
made the circuit of the hill, now appeared on the plain
below% going along at a steady canter, and watching
the progress of the reckless Horsemen, with fear and
trembling.

" Od's my life, but that 's awfu' ! " muttered he, pull-
ing up and clasping his hands convulsively, as Charles's
horse made a desperate stumble, but was cleverly re-
covered by the steady hand, and good nerve, of his
rider. " That Mansfield is just a perfect Deevle incar-
nate when his blood is up. He'll never rest till he
makes that Laddy Charles as ill as himseP, if he doesna
break his neck and his ain too afore they get to the
bottom o' that brae, as it 's my opinion he will do.
Lord sake ! there 's another awfu' stammer ! They 11
surely be brained."

But, in spite of the Doctor's evil forebodings, the
two Horsemen reached the plain in safety, not a hun-
dred yards from the Boar's haunches ; and the gallant
Mc.Phee, fired by the sight, and forgetting in a mo-
ment all his prudent caution, dashed in the spurs and
joined in the chase, with as much eagerness as if he
had no neck to break.

The Doctor's horse, being comparatively fresh, now
managed to keep pace with his companions ; and the
three Horsemen were riding abreast as the hunted Boar
approached a deep and wide stream with precipitous
banks. This, the Doctor fancied, must either bring

R 2

2-14 THE OLD FOREST RAXOER.

him to bay or force him to alter his course ; which, in
consequence of a bend in the river, would have the
effect of bringing him to close quarters. — An idea
suddenly flashed across his mind that, by making a
desperate rush at this auspicious moment, he might
immortalize himself by taking the spear of honour from
the renowned INIansfield. Fired by this magnificent
thought, the excited Mc.Phee darted in the spurs,
brandished his spear, and uttered a war-whoop, that
made the old horse bound under him, as if he had
been electrified. But to his astonishment, the Boar,
instead of turning, plunged from the high bank without
ever looking behind him ; and — oh ! horror ! — his two
wild companions, far from hesitating, only urged on
their horses to the desperate leap with redoubled fur)'.

"Stop! ye incarnate Deevles!" roared the Doctor,
striving desperately, but in vain, either to stop or turn
his horse, for he was wedged in between the other
two ; and the hard-mouthed old hunter he bestrode, ex-
cited to madness by the recollections of former glory,
was not to be stopped by the power of man. " Stop,
ye Deevle''s buckles — stop, ye misleer'd loons. Is it
going to drown yoursels and me ye are, like the herd
0' svvine possessed by evil speerits ? — Stop ! I say — stop !
— I canna soum! I canna soum! — I '11 surely be

drowned ! — I '11 " Here the Doctor's exclamations

were lost in a faint bubbling cry, as his unmanageable
horse plunged with the others, over head and ears, into
the middle of the stream ; and by the time he returned
to the surface, he was so nearly suffocated, that he
could only give vent to his outraged feelings in strange

nOAK-IlUNTI.\G. 245

inarticulate sounds. Mansfield, hearing the coughing,
and spluttering of the poor Doctor behind him, turned
half round, with the intention of going to his assistance ;
but, seeing that he still clung to his horse, and that
the animal was swimming strongly, he called out to
him to hold on by the mane and fear nothing ; and
slipping himself out of the saddle to relieve his favourite
horse, he swam by his side, supporting his head with
one hand, and cheering him with his voice.

The Boar reached the opposite bank before the Horse-
men were half-way across, shook the water from his
dripping hide, and casting one malignant glance at his
pursuers, trotted on sulkily for a short distance ; then,
as if aware that any further attempt at flight, over
the wide expanse of plain which lay before him, woiUd
only be wasting his energies to no purpose, he wheeled
suddenly round, erected his bristles, and stood resolutely
at bay.

Mansfield at this moment emerged from the water,
dripping like a River-God ; and, seeing the warlike
position assumed by the enemy, he uttered a shout of
triumph, put spurs to his steaming horse, and charged
him at speed — which, by the way, gentle Reader, is the
only safe manner of approaching a Boar at bay. The
savage brute having now made up his mind to fight to
the death, uttered a fierce grunt, and dashed forward
to meet him. Mansfield's well-directed spear entered
his chest, and passed out behind the shoulder; but, in
spite of the severity of the wound, he still rushed
forward, shattered the bamboo, and dashing under the
belly of the unflinching Challenger, before INIansficld

24G THE OLD FOREST RANGKR.

had time to wheel out of the way, succeeded in inflict-
ing a deep and deadly gash, from which the bowels
protruded in a shocking manner.

Chai-les now dashed forward to despatch the wounded
monster ; but such was his strength and ferocity, that
he rose staggering from the ground, rushed at the
horse, knocked his fore-legs from under him, and rolled
him over, inflicting a cut across the shank-bones as
clean as if it had been done by a razor.

While he yet stood tottering, and meditating further
mischief, the Doctor dashed up to him in gallant style,
and shouting at the top of his voice,

" That 's second spear, ony how ! " plunged the
glittering blade into his heart.

The frantic brute made one desperate effort to bite
through the tough bamboo ; but in that effort a stream of
black blood, mingled with foam, gushed from his mouth ;
and uttering one shrill scream, in the weakness of ex-
piring nature, he sank slowly to the ground, and died.

Loud and long was the death halloo, with which the
exulting Doctor proclaimed his victory. But poor Mans-
field had not the heart to join in it. For him, the
victory had been too dearly purchased. Sitting on the
ground, with the head of his dying horse resting on his
knees, he watched his glazing eye, and quivering limbs,
with the solicitude of a mother hanging over a sick
child. The faithful and beautiful creature had been his
companion in camp and in quarters, in battle and in
the Hunting-field, ever since he was a colt ; he had
shared his master's tent, and fed from his master's
hand, and exhibited towards him all the affection of a

BOAR-HUNTING. 247

dog. Smile not then, gentle Reader, nor call it weak-
ness, when we tell thee that a tear rolled down the
w^eather-beaten cheek of the hardy Soldier, as his highly-
prized and almost faultless steed, fixing his large mild
eye upon his face, stretched forth his stiffening limbs,
and sighed forth his last breath in a deep groan.

" He has died nobly," cried Mansfield, starting to his
feet and dashing the unbidden tear from his eye. " But
never shall I forget the day that has cost me the life
of my incomparable Challenger."

CHAPTER XIV.

THE MAN-EATER.

On the banks of the river Cauvery stands one of those
mean-looking villages, which occur, at intervals of a few
miles, throughout the greater part of the Mysore coun-
try. A small mud fort, long since dismantled, and now
almost concealed by jungle, overlooked a sluggish stream,
whose dark waters lazily licked the crumbling walls.
The snow-white egret and the stately crane waded
amongst the shallows, with their long necks out-
stretched, in attitudes of intense watchfulness. The
scaly alligator lay basking on the half-covered sand-
banks ; and the Brahminey kite hovered above the
reeds, uttering its querulous note, as its bright chestnut
wings quivered in the level beams of the setting sun.
Herds of sluggish buffaloes, their bare black hides plas-
tered with mud, were slowly returning from their pas-
ture, a sunburnt urchin perched upon the back of the
most docile, shouting at the top of his voice a wild reci-
tativo, addressed to his charge, who responded by deep
surly grunts. The shrill cry of the wild peacock, perched
upon the iniined battlements of the fort, was answered
by his mate from the rank thicket underneath. And
the soft cooing of the turtle-dove whispered among the
mango-leaves. As evening advanced, the huge vam-

THE MAX-KATER. 249

pire-bats, which hung in clusters suspended by their
hinder claws from the drooping branches of the banyan-
trees, dropped, one by one, and glided silently away in
search of food. Labourers, with their black blankets
hanging over their shoulders, came in straggling parties
from the fields, driving their bullocks before them : and
the women returned from the wells in picturesque
groups, each supporting with one hand an earthen jar of
antique form, gracefully balanced on her head ; whilst
the jingling sounds of the bangles which encircled their
ancles, made music to their light elastic step. Such
was the peaceful scene, as evening closed upon that
lonely village.

But at intervals, a wild startling shout would come
booming on the breeze, and ere its falling notes had
died away, the cry was taken up, and continued from an
opposite quarter. This was the Shikar-cvy of the My-
sore woodsman ; and, to an Indian Sportsman, told its
tale. A jungle village on the banks of a river, is gene-
rally haunted by a Tiger ; if there be a ruined fort,
overgrown with grass and brushwood, such probability
is much increased — and whenever the woodcutter returns
hun-iedly at sunset, shouting that ominous holla, the
chances are, that a Tiger dogs his steps.

The sun had set, and the shades of night were fast
approaching, as Rung Row, the venerated Priest of the
village, strode along the banks of the river to a con-
venient spot for making his evening ablutions. He
returned with dignified condescension the salutations
humbly offered by each Ryot whom he met, and pro-
ceeded on, wrapped in his own meditations. Little

250 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

thought the proud Brahmin, as he pondered over the
probable success of his last project in priestly craft, that
he was not doomed to reap its fruits.

At a winding of the river, less than a quarter of a
mile from the village, was a little bay, sheltered from
observation by some aloe bushes. The water was not
too deep ; and soft sand, pleasant for the foot to tread,
shelved gradually into a clear pool.

" Here shall I enjoy a refreshing bath," thought the
luxurioas Priest, " and then shall the antelope-eyed
Luxshmee welcome me to her arms."

Having no clothes to encumber him, save a cotton
WTapper round his loins, the devout worshipper of Visk-
noo waded at once into the stream, muttering a prayer
at every step, and commenced the important ceremony
of ablution, by pouring water, from a small brass vessel,
over his shaven crowTi and well-oiled skin.

What rustle was that? — The Brahmin's ears heard
not, they were stunned by the cold stream that poured
over them. His eyes, too, were closed, else would he
have seen two bright green orbs, glaring fiercely upon
him, through the branches of an aloe-bush at his side.
His hour had come, for the famous Man-eater of Shikar-
poor was upon his trail. Her eye had rested on her
victim, and she thirsted for his blood. Her grim head
was cautiously thrust tlu'ough the bushes, and the striped
monster issued from her lair with stealthy tread. Drag-
ging her belly along the sand, her tail switching impa-
tiently, her ears laid flat upon her neck, and her whis-
kered lips drawn back, so as to expose her formidable
array of tusks, she crept silently to the brink of the

THE AIAX-KATF.n. 251

water, there, gathering herself together, she glared for
one moment on the devoted wretch, like a triumphant
fiend, and bomiding forward, threw herself upon him
with a roar, which thrilled through his guilty soul, and
drowned the death-shriek which he uttered in his agony.
— Struggle there was none — the paw of the Tigress fell
like a bar of iron upon his skull, crushing it to the brain,
and her powerful teeth met in his throat. Death was
almost instantaneous. — A senseless body hung quivering
in her grasp, as she turned to the shore, but she still
shook it with ferocious energ}', and buried her tusks
deeper still, as it throbbed at the last convulsive
gasp.

This fearful death had been the fate of many a poor
Ryot and Woodcutter belonging to the village, for the
Tigress had haunted it during several months. Their
fate created little sensation — they were only Soodras ;
but when a herd-boy, who had witnessed this tragedy,
ran to the village, screaming, Bhag ! BJtag ! and an-
nounced that the Man-eater was supping on the holy
carcass of a Brahmin Priest, the holy brotherhood were
roused from their apathy into a state of keen excite-
ment. Women ran about beating their breasts, and
howling their national lament, and the village resounded
with the dismal cries of Wha ! Wha ! Bhag ! Bhag !

After a decent indulgence in strenuous demonstra-
tions of grief, the Ameldar despatched a Peon to summon
Bhurmah^ the principal Shikaree of the village. In a
few minutes he was dragged by the officious policeman,
as if he were a criminal, into the great man's presence,
and abused, with that despotic disregard of right and

252 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

wrong, which ever accompanies an Asiatic's possession
of power.

Bhurmah was one of the most noted Shikarees of that
province ; his whole life had been spent in watching
beasts of prey ; but the dreaded Tigress of Shikarpoor
had as yet baffled him ; and now that she had killed a
Brahmin, it followed, according to a Brahmin's reasoning,
that poor Bhurmah, together with all his kindred, but
more especially those of the female line, were every thing
that is odious in a Brahmin's eyes. Having been duly
apprized of these fair inferences, resulting from a Priest
having been eaten, he was commanded, upon pain of an
Ameldars displeasure, to produce the head of the Tigress
before she committed further sacrilege.

"It is an order!" answered the submissive Hindoo,
shouldering the long matchlock on which he had leaned
during this satisfactory audience. And the man who
wore three medals on his breast, rewards for gallantry
in his many conflicts with Tigers, retired cowering from
the presence of an effeminate Brahmin, without a word
of reply to the most insulting and unjust abuse.

Bhurmah, a poor Shikaree, and Mansfield, a British
Officer, were very different persons, and very different
was the style in which the Ameldar addressed them.

As soon as he had vented his wrath upon the inferior,
the administrator of justice penned a flowery letter to his
superior, the English Burr ah Sahib, of whose arrival in
a neighbouring village he had that day been informed.

Having described the sad event in glowing language,
he proceeded to beg that " the mighty warrior, the great
and powerful Lord, in \\'hose hands a Lion w as as a mouse,

tut: man-katkr.

would be graciously pleased to extend the shadow of his
protection over his devoted slaves, and come with his
Elephant and death-dealing weapon, to rid them of the
destroyer of their peace."

Before sunset next day, Mansfield and Charles, at-
tended by the trusty Ayapah, were galloping along a
path which led to Shikarpoor. The Doctor, whose bat-
tered frame had not yet recovered from the effects of
the previous day's adventures, had remained behind,
intending to follow them at a more sober pace next
morning. Their road lay, for some miles, through a
bamboo jungle, the outskirts of the AV'ynaad Forest, and
as the day declined, the faster did they ply their bloody
spurs.

There were mementoes enough on that silent road, to
warn the traveller not to linger after the sun had set.
Heaps of stones, raised by the passers-by to mark the
spot where some ill-staiTed wretch had been killed by a
Tiger, presented themselves in many a gloomy spot, and
as the riders passed each of these sad memorials, the
foaming Arabs were pushed on at renewed speed — it
would not do to be benighted here.

The open country was gained, the lofty pinnacle of the
village pagoda was seen towering above the trees, and,
ere another mile was passed, the riders had pulled up
their smoking horses in the midst of the bazaar, and
were surrounded by a host of natives, all salaaming with
true Oriental obsequiousness, and thrusting into their
hands the offerings of fruit, without which it would be
presumptuous to approach a superior. They were the
authorities of the village, sleek, well-fed Brahmins, each

254 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

vying with the other in the favour of his welcome, and
prayers for the invincible warrior's prosperity.

All this must be submitted to; and, although Mans-
field fidgeted in his saddle, he was too well-bred to show
his annoyance. He returned their salaams, answered
their compliments, pocketed as much of the fruit as he
could, and insisted on the Ameldar remounting his little
ambling pony, from which, in his humility, he had dis-
mounted. With this gracious order the smooth-faced
Brahmin complied, after a decent show of resistance,
and was forthwith embedded in a crimson cushion, which,
with its complicated trappings, smothered the little
punchy steed, so as to leave little visible, save a white
head, and a pink tail that swept the ground.

A band of native musicians, armed with terrible in-
struments of discord, struck up a barbarous piece of
music, that might have shattered the nerves of a High-
land bagpiper. Armed Peons cleared the way — the mob
shouted, and the cavalcade proceeded. Charles was
delighted with the bustle and noveltv of the scene ; but
poor Mansfield, who had long ago been disgusted with
the barbarous pageantry and fulsome flattery of native
dignitaries, most devoutly wished the obsequious Amel-
dar and his shouting myrmidons at the Devil,

It would have been amusing to a stranger to contrast
the dusty, wayworn figure of the European, to w^hom
all these honours were paid, with the spotless white
robes, gaudy turbans, and magnificent shawls, of his
fa^\^ling flatterers. His shooting-jacket, which had
once been green, was now indeed a garment of many
colours. His hunting-cap, bruised and battered out of

THE MAX-KATER.

all shape, matched it well ; and brown cord breeches,
met by deerskin gaiters, completed the attire of the
weather-beaten, sim-dried Sportsman, who rode on with
Quixotic gravity, surrounded by a staring if not an ad-
miring throng. Thus escorted — the noble Arab which
he rode alone denoting his rank — Mansfield was con-
ducted, in a sort of triumphant procession, to a garden
on the banks of the river, where a tent was pitched for
his reception. The Elephant, just arrived, was refresh-
ing itself in the stream, and a party of Coolies were
cooking their messes, to recruit themselves after their
march. Here the Brahmins asked permission to take
their leave — a boon most willingly granted — and Mans-
field was left to a conference more congenial to his
taste. They were no sooner gone, than he threw aside
his coat, kicked off his gaiters, dropped into an arm-
chair, and inhaling a long whiff" from the hookah, placed
at his side by a venerable Mussulman, damned the whole
fraternity of Brahmins for a set of hypocritical scoun-
drels, and despatched Ayapah to summon Bhurmah

the Shikaree.

*****

It was not yet light enough to distinguish objects
clearly, when Mansfield was roused by his attendant
announcing that the dawn had come, and that the
people were ready. A sleepy voice answered,

" Order the gray horse and the chestnut pony to be
saddled. Take the rifles and ammunition, and go to the
jungle where Bhurmah lost the trail yesterday. Order
the Mahout to start with the Elephant immediately, and

256 THE OLD F0IIE8T KAXGRR.

see that there is a bundle of rockets in the howdah. I
shall be with you before you reach the ground."

The interval between the first faint da^^^l, and the
bright glare which immediately precedes sunrise, in the
tropics, is brief. By the time the two Sportsmen were
mounted, there was sufficient light to enable them to
pick out the Elephant*'s tracks, guided by which, they
overtook the party, as Bhurmah was leading the way
into a Tigrish-looking valley, the bright verdure of which
contrasted strongly with the brown tints of the sur-
rounding country. A ravine, which was never dried up
in the hottest weather, ran through it, and discharged
itself into a tank at one extremity, where the cover
was thickest. On that side, the jungle ended abruptly
in a plain, where Hog might be ridden, so free was it
from brushwood. On this, the valley contracted gra-
dually towards the hills, till it became the mere bed
of a little mountain-stream.

" I carried it thus far. Sahib, by sunset yesterday,"
said the Shikaree, pointing to the impression of four
huge paws in the soft bed of the ravine.

Mansfield, dismounting, stooped over the trail, and
examined it for a few seconds attentively, whilst the
Natives awaited his opinion in silence. Having satisfied
himself, he sat do\vn, and with an air of serious gravity,
commenced the following dialogue with Bhurmah :

" She was in no hurry when she took that line. A
hurried step would not leave so smooth a trail."

" No, Sahib, she had travelled three coss before she
crossed the hills, in the gray of the morning, and she

THE MAX-EATER.

257

would come in here quietly, before the sun was hot.
The trail was long cold when I ran it up to this
jungle."

" You have been on her trail before. Is this one of
her favourite haunts ? "

" I have marked her into it more than once," an-
swered the old man. " But who can tell where a wan-
dering Tigress vdW lie down to-morrow, although you
have found her bed warm to-day ? She is seldom more
than twelve hours in one place, and the death-lament
may now be singing ten coss off, for the man she killed
last night. I have lived in the jungles now more than
thirty years, and the people have not called me Bhag-
mar without a cause, but this Tigress has always proved
too cunnmg for me."

" Aye, but you are the man, Bhurmah, who is destined
to rim her down," interrupted Mansfield, who thoroughly
understood native character, and observed that the old
Shikaree's want of confidence had tlii'o\Mi a damp over
the spirits of the rest. " It is you, and you only, that
shall bring her to bay. I was told it in a dream."

At this announcement, every face brightened, and
every doubt of success vanished.

" A\^ell, Sahib, your words must be true," replied
Bhurmah, stroking his long white mustache, with a
look of gratified vanity ; " and as such is my fate, I
shall follow her to the world's end. May dogs defile
her grave ! — my only Son fell under her accursed paws,
and I suppose I shall die by a Tiger, too, when my hour
comes. But who can escape his fate ?"

" Very true, my fine fellow ; but your fate is to get

258 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

another medal, for ridding the country of this incarnate
Devil — so, let us to work. You say that you found no
track leading from the east side into the jungle, so now
try the outskirts to the westward with your people,
while I follow the trail along this ravine with the Ele-
phant, and mind you get into trees the moment you
hear me holla — I am sure she is here."

While the Natives, fifteen in number, examined the
edges of the cover, Mansfield and Charles, mounted on
the Elephant, searched the bed of the ravine : following
the foot-prints until they were lost on rocky soil. After
making several fruitless casts to recover the trail, they
rejoined the Natives, who had also failed in hitting on
any fresh track. A brief consultation was held, and
the result was Bhurmah declaring his conviction that
the Tigress lay concealed in the cover.

Mansfield, therefore, ordered every man, except Aya-
pah, who would accompany him on the Elephant, to
take up a position, by which all points might be guarded.
And, as a further precaution, a native horseman was
posted on an eminence, commanding a clear view, with
orders not to lose sight of the Tigress if she broke
away.

These arrangements having been made, the stately
Elephant advanced, at the word of command, crashing
his way through the yielding branches as a ship tosses
the opening waves from her side. His progress was
slow, for the utmost exertions of the Mahout were
required to force him through some parts of the thicket,
where masses of prickly shrubs bristled against him,
and tough creepers matted the bushes into a compact

THE MAX-EATEK. 259

barrier, which threw back the immense animal at every
rush he made to beat them down. Some hom-s were
spent in this arduous search. The heat was becoming
intense ; the Elephant growing sulky, and the Mahout
muttering to himself broken sentences, expressive of
impatience ; even Ayapah relaxed in the diligent scru-
tiny with which he had examined each tuft of grass.
But the leader persevered in his usual patient manner^
never passing a bush until it was thoroughly beaten,
although no trace had as yet been found to cheer them.
Once, indeed, the Elephant trumpeted, and a rustle was
heard in front. The rifles were raised, and the eyes
of the Sportsmen eagerly fixed upon the moving bushes ;
but Mansfield's weapon was quietly replaced, and Charles's
suddenly snatched from his hand, as the shaggy hide
of a Bear brushed through the underwood. Charles
opened his eyes in astonishment, at being thus uncere-
moniously disarmed, and turned upon Mansfield in no
very amiable mood. But the old Sportsman met his
angry glance with a quiet smile.

" Come Cliarley, my boy,"" said he, returning the rifle,
" do not be angry. 'T is very annoying, I grant you, to
be deprived of so tempting a shot ; but I really could
not afford to lose the Tigress, after all the trouble she
has given us, for the sake of a Bear, which we can find
at any time. You have no idea what skulking brutes
these Man-eaters are ; they never show fight unless
they are driven to it ; and this old devil has become so
cunning, from being frequently hunted, that the report
of a rifle would send her off" to her strong hold among
the hills, if she be within hearing."

s 2

260 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

One corner of the valley, in which were some withered
brambles, overgro\Mi by high spear-grass, was yet un-
tried. To this the wearied Elephant was advancing
with miwilling steps, when a monkey, which had been
quietly watching their proceedings, was observed to
spring from tree to tree, looking down, grinning, and
chattering, with every mark of violent agitation, while
the long grass waved below him.

" Look, Sahib ! " cried Ayapah, from the back of the
howda/i.

" Push on the Elephant to his utmost," shouted
Mansfield in a voice of thunder ; " she is there and is
making off."

The sagacious brute knew well that his game was
near. His eye glistened, and flapping his ears, he
rushed forward with his trunk curled in the air.

" There is the trail ! " exclaimed Ayapah, pointing
to a fresh impression of paws on the side of the ravine.

" Shall I cross ? " asked the Mahout, looking over his
shoulder.

" Over, quick," was the reply. " She is away ! Hark
to that holla ! "

While he spoke, a piercing yell proclaimed a view;
and then arose the wild Shikar cry, in full chorus,
causing every nerve to thrill with excitement. The
goaded Elephant scrambled across the ravine, and
threaded his way to the point where shouts of Bhag
announced that the Tigress was approacliing. The
jungle rang with the cry, and it was returned in echoes
from the hills. Earnest exertions were making to hem
her in ; but she had been hunted before, and would not

THE MAN-EATER. 261

be stopped. The directing signal from the scouts was
still forward, and, before the Elephant had forced a
passage through the jungle, a SJdkaree, watching the
plain, waved his turban, and uttered the well-known
whoop, which announced that she had broken cover.

" Confound her for a cunning devil ! " muttered Mans-
field, " she has beaten us, and is off to the hills."

Charles, who had been standing up in the Jiowdah,
trembling with eagerness, and stamping impatiently
with his feet, as if by doing so he could drive the
Elephant faster, dropped his rifle, and sank back into
his seat with a blank look of disappointment.

They had now reached the open plain, and there was
the Sewar, on whom all their hopes of marking the
game depended; his anus and legs going like a wind-
mill in fits, screwing along his old spavined mare, in
apparently hot pursuit of the flying Tigress. He might
safely have done his best, for there was little fear of
a native horseman overtaking a wandering ^Ian-eater
across a hilly country. But, to make " certainty more
sure," he pulled yet harder than he spurred ; and the
consequence was, a pace admirably adapted for raising
a cloud of dust. Of course, as he intended, the Tigress
disappeared over the brow of a hill, well in advance, and
he returned faster than he went, brandishing his spear
manfully, as if he really had intended to use it. With-
out slacking his speed, he galloped up to the Elephant,
all in a foam, and pulling the poor old mare on her
haunches, by a tug that wellnigh broke her jaw, blus-
tered out a confused account of his own amazing zeal,
and hints of what he would have done had the Tigi'css

262 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

not fled before him. '■'■ Inshallah! she did not wait till
my spear could reach her — she fled like a bird before a
hawk!"

" It is well for you that she did so," replied Mansfield,
drily. " You appeared to have your mare tolerably well
in hand too. But did you mark the Tigress ? Was she
in sight when you gained the top of the hill ? "

" What could your slave do ? " replied the Sewar,
looking rather crest-fallen. " Could he outstrip the
wind?"
^ This unsatisfactory reply spoke volumes. Mansfield
turned from him in disgust, and, addressing his fol-
lowers, urged the necessity of pressing on at once, and
endeavouring to hit her trail.

" That fellow has been of little service as a marker,"
he added ; " but we may track her up again ; she has
not gone far. A hundred rupees to the man who strikes
her trail, and runs it to her lair ! "

ISIoney will do any thing with a Native. The wearied,
dispirited Shikarees roused themselves at the sound of
rupees, and the chase recommenced.

From the point where the Tigress was lost, they scat-
tered themselves over the country, inspecting the soil
with earnest gaze, as if searching for treasure. Some
time elapsed without any discovery being made. At last
a young villager who had been examining a sheep-track,
stopped short, and gave the signal of success. All ran
eagerly to the spot, crowding round a foot-mark, which
certainly was that of a Tiger.

" Look at it, Bhurmah," said Mansfield, uncertain
how to act.

THE MAN-EATER. 263

The veteran gave it a single glance, and turning away
with a look of contempt, declared the marks to be three
days old.

An assurance coming from such authority, admitted
of no dispute, and the search was resumed.

As when a puppy, opening on a false scent, brings
aroimd him some babblers, who bustle about, whimper-
ing and lashing their spotted sides with their feathery
tails ; an old hound raises his head, and joins them for
a moment ; but, detecting the error at the first sniff,
leaves them with disdain to make his owii cast ; so
Bhurmah, his long white mustache giving him an air of
pecuhar sagacity, struck off from his less experienced
companions, and, as if guided by some unerring instinct,
proceeded straight in a line, which brought him to a
little mountain-stream. Into this he dived, and, for some
time, disappeared ; then, I'aising his head above the bank,
sent back a thrilling halloo, which was answered by a
shout of triumph from the rest of the human pack.

" Hark to Bhurmah ! " shouted Mansfield. " That
signal can be depended upon. Bravo ! old fellow ; you
deserve another medal, and shall have it."

On joining him, he was found inspecting the mai'gin
of a small pool.

" She has stopped here to drink, and cannot be far
ahead ; for the sun has not yet di-ied the moisture from
her foot-prints."

This was addressed by Mansfield to his Peon, Ayapah,
who, jealous that another should excel, began to doubt
before he had deigned to look. The old Shikaree listened
in silence, and with a smile of triumph, to the acknow-

264 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

ledgment, which, after a careful examination of the
spot, the Peon was obhged to make, that they were now
on the true scent.

The new trail was followed up rapidly, each step
eliciting some cheering remark, as to its distinctness.
It had been found upon the summit of the hills, where
a considerable extent of table-land intervened before the
country beyond became visible. Over this the Shika-
rees proceeded at a long trot without a check, till the
plain lay stretched beneath them. A flock of goats was
feeding amongst the rocks on the mountain side, watched
by a shepherd, who sat motionless, like a bronzed figure,
on the heated rocks. The little gray fox basked in the
sun, heedless of his proximity ; and the wolf passed by
at a lazy trot, lolling out his tongue, and hanging his
slouching head as if indifferent to the presence of man.
Ranges of naked rocks encircling a plain of barren sand,
like a vast amphitheatre, met the eye on every side.
The scanty vegetation was scorched into a uniform sun-
burnt tint, and the few sickly date-trees which reared
their stunted heads in the midst of the wilderness, only
served to heighten the appearance of desolation. There
is something peculiarly wild in such a scene. A sky
without a cloud, a plain without a spot of verdure
cracked into gaping fissures, and the sun, like a ball of
burnished metal, blazing over its nakedness. No smoke
to mark the site of a single hut ; no trace of man, save
that solitary goatherd, passing his life amongst the
beasts of the desert, and they not fearing him.

So far the party had pursued the wandering Tigress
by her trail. The nature of the chase was now altered.

THE MAN-EATER. 265

While the Natives stood clustered together at fault,
having lost the track among stones, Mansfield was
looking around, considering where they would probably
bring her to bay, when his quick eye perceived the
goats to start, and scramble in confusion up the rocks.

" My rifle, Ayapah ; there she goes ! "

It was indeed the hunted Tigress once more in view.
Charles threw forward his rifle, and fired without a mo-
ment's hesitation, although the Tigress was nearly three
hundred yards distant. But the bullet fell far short of
its intended mark.

" That is rather too long a range for accurate shoot-
ing. Master Charles," said JNIansfield, " we must push
on and get nearer. She can never keep up that pace
under such a sun."

" Sahib, if an old man may speak," interrupted Bhur-
mah, " it will be better to remain quiet. She is making
straight for her house — that ravine below us. There
she will lay up. I have followed her trail into it before
now."

" I dare say you are right," replied IMansfield, watch-
ing the Tigress with his glass. "She is nearly blown.
Aye, now she looks back — I can see her jaws wide open,
her tongue is hanging a foot out of her mouth, and is as
white as her teeth. We have her now, she has disap-
peared under the bank. Her race is run, and she must
stand to bay. But, oh ! for two hours more of day-
light!" he added, looking at the lengthening shadows on
the plain.

" It is a strong hold she has chosen," observed Bhur-
mah. " I have seen a Tiger hold out for a whole day

266 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

against three Elephants in that very place, and you
may be sure the Man-eater of Shikarpoor knows the
strongest part."

" She shall not beat us," exclaimed Mansfield, rising
and motioning to the Mahout. " She shall not beat us,
if we should be forced to burn her in her lair. Come
on!"

" The bushes are green," quietly observed Bhurmah.

In that remark there was much meaning, as the
sequel proved.

By the time the indefatigable band had surrounded
their game, the sun was gilding the hill tops with its
setting rays. Not a moment was lost. Bhurmah
mounted the howdah that he might guide the Mahout
at once to the spot where he expected to find the Ti-
gress, for he knew every inch of the ground, and, on
this occasion, he was not mistaken. The experienced
Shikaree brought the Elephant under a clump of bauble
bushes which grew upon a high ledge of almost perpen-
dicular rock. Farther progress was impossible. Point-
ing upwards to an opening in the grass, through which a
heavy animal had evidently passed, he said,

" There is her den ! " A low growl from the centre of
the bushes confirmed his accuracy.

She had chosen her strong hold admirably. It was
protected, in front, by a mountain-stream, and backed
by a perpendicular rock, which projected over it so as to
shelter it from above. Mansfield looked in vain for a
path where the Elephant might find footing. There
was none. A man might have reached the den by
climbing ; but certain death would have been the fate of

THE MAN-EATER. 267

him who dared to approach the watchful Tigress. One
chance of success still remained, and it was adopted.
The Elephant having been withdrawn, Mansfield and
Charles posted themselves on a rock, sufficiently high to
protect them from the Tigress, in the event of her bolt-
ing, and directed the people to bombard her position
with rockets from the opposite height. But all was
ineffectual. Showers of rockets lighted up the gloomy
chasm, and ignited the thin grass along its edges, but it
quickly consumed, without spreading to the bushes in
which she lay : they were green and would not burn.

When the whole stock of combustibles had been ex-
hausted, rocks were hurled down, and volleys of match-
locks fired ; but the only result was an occasional surly
growl ; and the party, wearied, and dispirited by their
fruitless efforts, were unwillingly obliged to retu'e, it
having become too dark for further operations.

For three whole days the same party traversed the
country without finding a mark, or hearing any intelli-
gence of the dreaded Tigress. But she was pursued by
men who had sworn that she should die, and the ardour
of their search was not relaxed.

On the morning of the fourth day, whilst Bhurmah
and his men were trying some covert in the neighbour-
hood, two herd-boys sat watching their Buffaloes, in
that valley where the pursuit had first commenced.
They cared little about Tigers ; for they knew that the
old Bull of their herd would protect them while they
kept at his side. And now that the great Man-eater
had been driven from the neighbourhood, there was
nothing to feai". Thus unsuspicious of danger the boys

268 THE OLD FOREST RANGER,

sauntered along, picking berries, and amusing themselves
with childish sports, till they had wandered a consider-
able distance from their protectors.

Alas ! the destroyer was at hand. She had crept
from bush to bush, so silently, that her heavy breathing
first gave warning of her approach. The hindermost
child turned round, his heart beating with a vague pre-
sentiment of danger. The fierce eye of the Tigress met
his. He uttered a scream of terror, and shrieked the
fearful name of Bhag ! The sound had scarcely passed
his lips, when the terrible roar of the monster shook
the earth, and his small bones crackled between her
jaws. The other boy fled to the nearest tree, into
which he climbed, with the agility of a monkey ; from
thence he saw the Tigress toss her prey over her
shoulder, and trot back, growling, to the jungle. As
soon as she was out of sight he hurried to the village
to give the alarm ; and, in less than an hour, Mansfield
and his followers, guided by the little herd-boy, were
on their way to the fatal spot.

It was a sight to make a woman weep, to see that
poor trembling child standing with the tears rolling
down his cheeks, over the scene of the late tragedy.

The ground was spattered with the blood and brains
of his brother; and as he told his melancholy tale, a
cold shudder ran through his little frame, and choked
his feeble voice, each time that his downcast gaze fell
upon the horrible traces.

IVIansfield drew a rough hand across his eyes, as
he ordered the Elephant to kneel, in a voice that fal-
tered.

THE MAX-EATKR. 2G9

" Ask that boy, one of you," said he, addressing a
Peon, " if he would like to come with me, on the
Elephant, and see that cursed Tigress die."

The man whom he addressed stared ; and a murmur
of amazement ran around, at an offer so little in con-
formity with a Native's idea of becoming dignity. To
mount a naked outcast boy upon the same Elephant
with an English Burrah Sahib ! The idea was almost
sacrilegious. But the honest, manly heart of Mansfield
knew no such petty pride, and he repeated his orders
in a tone which admitted of no remonstrance, whilst
he cast a look of kindness on the poor despised child,
whose large black eyes were fixed upon him, with a
look of stupified amazement. He was reluctantly
obeyed : Charles had taken his seat, and INIansfield was
about to follow, when the Elephant, tired of kneeling so
long on hard ground, gave utterance to his annoyance,
by an angry roar.

Before the Elephant had time to rise, the Buffaloes,
which had been quietly grazing round the edge of the
jungle, raised their heads, snorted, and rushed in a body
towards one point, bellowing furiously.

" Bhag ! Bhag ! " shrieked the terrified child, cower-
ing down into the bottom of the hoiodah.

" By Heavens, it is ! " cried Mansfield, springing to
the ground. " She has taken the alarm already. — The
large rifle, quick ! "

Ayapah thrust it into his hand. Setting the third
sight, for a long shot, he stretched back one leg, and
slowly raised the heavy weapon to his eye, his finger
feeling the trigger, with a pressure so gradual, that the

270 TFIK OLD FOREST HANGER.

barrel seemed to pour forth its contents, spontaneously,
at the instant it rested motionless.

" That hit her!" he calmly observed, as he dropped
the discharged weapon into the hollow of his arm, and
stood for a moment to watch the effect of the shot.

The Tigress, who was stealing along, at a distance of
full two hundred yards, uttered a short angry roar, and
dropped on her knees. When she rose, one fore-leg
hung dangling from her shoulder, and in this crippled
state, she slunk into cover, pursued by the Buffaloes,
bellowing at her haunches.

A murmur of admiration ran around the bystanders
at this exliibition of skill, which so far exceeded what
the majority thought possible, that it seemed more than
human, and made them look upon the successful marks-
man almost in the light of a Demi-god. Even old
Bhurmah could hardly believe his senses, when he heard
the soft thud of the bullet, and saw the animal drop, at
a distance so far beyond the range of his own trusty
matchlock. And the poor little herd-boy clasped his
hands together, and his large eyes glistened with tears
of gratitude when the joyful shout announced that his
dreaded enemy was disabled from flight, and her death
certain.

Without noticing the admiration which his skilful
shot had occasioned, Mansfield reloaded his rifle with
scrupulous exactness, and took his seat in the howdah
beside Charles, with the wondering herd-boy between
them. Old Bhurmah climbed up on the Elephant's
crupper to insure being in at the death, and the stately
animal marched up to the final encounter.

THE MAN-KATEH. 271

Drops of blood guided them to the bush in which the
wounded Tigress lay. The heavy foot of the advancing
Elephant shook the ground. She raised her head, laid
back her ears savagely, and ceased licking the blood
from her shattered shoulder. INIansfield cautioned
Charles to be ready, but not to fire in a hurry, as he
would wait for him to take the first shot. They were
now near enough to observe the bush agitated, as if she
was collecting herself for a rush, and a low growl gave
forth its warning. Old Bhurmah danced about like a
maniac, one hand grasping the back of the howdah to
support himself, the other brandishing his sword ; and
his long white mustache, which curled up to his eyes,
giving him a look of ferocity almost equal to that of the
Tigress. The sagacious Elephant twisted his trunk up
to be out of harm's way, and advanced cautiously another
step. A louder growl increased to a short hoarse roar.

" Keep him steady now, — she is coming," said Mans-
field, addressing the Mahout with perfect coolness.
Charles held his breath, and his eyes seemed as if start-
ing from his head with excitement, as he cocked both
barrels of his rifle, and half raised it to his shoulder.

" No hurry, boy ; take her coolly," said Mansfield.

The branches crashed — a brindled mass gleamed
through them — and the Tigress sprang forth. Her
flaming eye gazed wildly aroimd, then settled on her
foes. Every hair in her body stood erect — her tail
lashed her painted sides, and her flanks heaved labo-
riously, as if almost suffocated with rage. Uttering a
deep growl, she arched her back and lowered her head
for a spring.

272 THE OLD FOREST BANGER.

" Now ! " Quick as lightning followed the flash of
the rifle, both barrels being discharged almost simulta-
neously, and the Tigress staggered back with two balls
in her chest. She recovered her footing, and was in
the act of bounding forward to the charge, when a shot
from Mansfield's unen'ing rifle entered her brain. She
dropped from her proud attitude, and the famous Man-
eater of Shikarpoor lay gasping in a pool of blood,
which gushed from a ragged hole between her eyes.

Whilst Ayapah busied himself in the important ope-
ration of singeing the whiskers of the dead Tigress, the
overjoyed Natives crowded around rending the air with
shouts, and invoking blessings on the head of the Burrah
Sahib, the invincible slayer of wild beasts, whose power-
ful hand had rid the country of this dreadful scourge.

Mansfield and Charles reloaded their rifles, and,
guided by the keen eye of old JBhurmah, followed the
back trail to examine the lair of the famous Man-eater.
They now forced their way through the tangled brush-
wood without fear of danger ; and, in the heart of a
thick clump of bauble bushes, soon found the half-
devoured remains of the unfortunate herd-boy. On a
further search, many more ghastly traces were found
of the dreaded monster's fearful devastation. Human
bones, and human bones alone — for, of late, she had
confined herself exclusively to man-eating — lay scattered
about in various directions ; and one there was, which,
more than all the others, smote the heart of Charles
with a feeling of deadly sickness. It was a mangled
and disjointed skeleton ; but the long silken tresses of a
Woman still hung in tangled masses from the grinning

THK MAX-EATER. 273

skull ; and silver bangles, once the cherished ornaments
of female beauty, now encircled bleached and marrow-
less bones. What a fearful mockery of human vanity was
this ! And, oh ! what dreadful pangs had racked those
fleshless bones ! What maddening thoughts may not
haA'e flitted through that now senseless skull ! What
wild shrieks of despair may not have been uttered by
those mouldering jaws, ere the trembling spirit took its
flight ! How many unavailing tears have been shed for
the untimely, perhaps unknown fate of her, who, now a
loathsome skeleton, may once have been the smiling
Beauty of the village! — perhaps a beloved Wife! —
perhaps the widowed Mother of children! — helpless,
friendless children, who now look in vain for the fond
smile of maternal tenderness, in the cold eyes of
strangers; and, with feeble voices, call upon the name
of her who loved them.

Reader, if thou hast ever assisted in slaying a Man-
eater ; if thou hast ever gazed on such a scene as this,
thou wilt doubtless have felt, as Charles did, something
more than a Hunter's triumph at the successful termi-
nation of thy labours; and thy heart will have sweUed
with a gi'ateful consciousness of having been an instru-
ment in the hands of Providence, to deliver thy helpless
fellow-creatures from one of the most dreadful scourges
by which the human race is persecuted — a eonfinned
Man-eater.

CHAPTER XV.
THE SACRED VILLAGE.

Before daylight, on the morning after the successful
encounter with the ISIan-eater, JNIansfield and Charles,
accompanied by the Doctor, who had joined them on the
previous evening, were making the best of their way,
across a wide extent of barren plain, towards the sacred
island of Seevasamoodrum. Here they intended to halt
for a day, on their way home, to visit the celebrated falls
of the Cauvary. The country over which they travelled
being of that uninteresting character which affords neither
fine scenery nor any prospect of adventure, beyond a
chance shot at an antelope or a bustard, ISIansfield be-
guiled the tedium of a long march by giving his com-
panions a description of the Island and the falls. This
our Readers will perhaps pardon us for repeating, in as
few words as possible, to save explanation hereafter.

Seevasamoodrum, one of the small islands of the river
Cauvary, affords an object of interest to the antiquar}-,
as havins; been the site of the ancient and sacred citv of
Gungah Parah. It is now almost a wilderness, over-
grown with high jungle grass, and forest trees ; the only
traces of its former splendour which now remain being
the ruins of two or three Pagodas, with fragments of
ancient sculpture, half buried in the earth. It is also

TIIF SACRED VrLF.ACiE. '1 ( -^

interesting to the admirer of Nature, from the beauty of
its scenery, and the magnificent falls which the river
forms on either side of it ; and to the Sportsman, as being
a favourite haunt of Tigers and other wild animals.

The Island still retains its sacred character, and a few
modern Pagodas have sprung up among the ruins, like
suckers from a decayed root, affording shelter to a nest
of laz}' Brahmin Priests, its only inhabitants. It is the
property of a petty Jagheerdar named Rhamaswamy,
who, from having been head servant to a European
Gentleman, has gradually amassed a fortune, and raised
liimself to a situation of some importance. Whether he
came by his wealth honestly or otherwise, does not
appear. But, at all events, he has shown his gratitude
to those from whom he derived it, by erecting upon the
Island a handsome, well-furnished house, the hospitable
doors of which are ever open to his European friends.
An establishment of servants, and a palanquin, are also
kept. And, to particular friends, the key of a well-
stocked cellar is generally offered, although few trespass
so far upon his hospitality as to make use of it.

The larger branch of the river, which flows on the
western side of the island, forms the fall called " Giingan
Jooki" or the " Leap of Gungah." The corresponding
fall, on the eastern side, is called ^'- Bir Joohi" from
Bir, a banyan-tree. The legend from which the falls
derive their names, is as follows. It is a translation
from an ancient Hindoo MS. preserved in one of the
Pagodas of Seevasamoodrum.

" Gungah Raj, King of Seevasamoodrum, had a ser-
vant, whose name was Humpah. This man conceived

T 2

"276 THE OLD FOREST RAXGEK.

a violent desire to eat at the table of Gungah Raj . But
being of low caste, his doing so would, according to
the religion of the Hindoos, have been considered an
abominable pollution. His wish was at length gratified
in the following extraordinary manner.

" As Humpah one day wandered along the bank of
the river in a melancholy mood, thinking how he might
possibly accomplish the object of his wishes, he met a
young woman, bearing upon her head a pitcher of milk.
The woman addressed Humpah, and demanded the cause
of his melancholy. He, being ashamed, refused to tell
her. But the woman was a sorceress, and not only
informed him that she was aware of his desires, but
promised, on certain conditions, that they should be
gratified. Humpah having agreed to her terms, she
procured a young hir, or banyan-tree, which had groNNTi
vmder the shade of a large tree of the same species.
From this young shoot she prepared a certain ointment,
with which she directed Humpah to anoint his forehead.
Upon doing so, he immediately became invisible; and
by means of this charm, was 'enabled, for the space of
twelve years, not only to partake of the luxuries of
Gungah Raj's table, but to participate in all the other
pleasures which the Rajah enjoyed. At length Gungah
Raj fell sick, but had no apparent disease to account
for his altered appearance. He consulted the Divinity,
who informed him that his sickness was occasioned by
an inmate of his house, and directed him to mix some
very hot ingredients in the dishes that were sent to
table, by which means the offender would be discovered.
This was accordingly done ; and Humpah, by eating of

THE SACKED VILLAGE.

the hot preparation, was thrown into such a pi'oiuso
perspiration, that the charmed ointment was washed
from his forehead, and he became visible. Humpah fell
dead before the Rajah as they sat at meat.

" Gungah Raj applied to the Brahmins to know by
what means he might be cleansed from the pollution he
had sustained. They replied, that nothing but death
could wipe away the stain ; and Gungah, with his
favourite AVife, resolved to destroy themselves by leap-
ing downi the cataract. The Rajah having mounted a
spirited horse, and placed his Wife behind him, galloped
furiously towards the precipice. The noble animal took
the leap boldly ; but, instead of plunging into the gulf
below, alighted in safety on the opposite bank. A
herdsman seeing this, and being aware of the Rajah's
determination, came up, and advised him to blindfold
the animal. The Rajah accordingly took oif his turban,
and having bound it over the eyes of his horse, leaped
do\\ni the precipice with his Wife, and so perished."

A\"e may here remark that the distance, from bank to
bank, said to have been cleared by the Rajah's Charger,
is upwards of a thousand feet ! The scejitical Traveller
would be apt to doubt the authenticity of this part of
the legend, were it not that the foot-prints of a horse,
deeply indented in the solid rock, still remain to mark
the exact spot where the Rajah alighted. — Who can
doubt such evidence as this, supported, as it is, by the
authority of an ancient Hindoo MS. and the solemn
asseverations of a whole Village of Brahmin Priests ?

The fall on the other side of the Island is called Sir
Joohi, in commemoration of the banyan-tree, from which

278 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

the charm was prepared. The ancient tree under which
the charmed plant is said to have grown, is still to be
seen near the bridge.

Nothing particularly worthy of notice occurred during
the march, and three hours of hard riding brought our
travellers to the village of Bulkawaddy, on the banks of
the Cauvary, from whence, to reach the Island, it was
necessary to cross a branch of the river in basket-boats.
Here they were met by Mr. M — , a very intelligent
half-caste, who acted as overseer of Rhamaswamy's
property, and did the honours to his guests in the
absence of the old Gentleman, who resided at Mysore,
and seldom visited the Island himself. ISIr. M — having
been apprized of their intended visit, by a messenger
despatched on the previous evening, had a large basket-
boat in waiting, to ferry the party across the river.
Charles, who had never before seen one of these ante-
diluvian-looking craft, was not a little astonished, on
reaching the bank of the river, to behold nothing but a
huge circular wucker-basket, roughly covered with hides,
and manned by two naked boatmen, each provided with
a long bamboo pole instead of a paddle.

The stream was rapid, and the sharp-pointed rocks
which shot up in all directions above the surface of the
troubled waters, tlu-eatened destruction to the rash
mortals who dared to brave the fury of the torrent in
so frail, and apparently unmanageable a machine, as a
circular basket propelled by poles. Charles, however,
seeing that Mansfield jumped in without hesitation, and
that even the Doctor showed but slight symptoms of
fear, took his place, and said nothing, till he saw the

THK SACKhD VILI.AGK. 270

Hoi-sekeepers leading the horses down the bank, as if
with the intention of embarking them also.

This was a proceeding which he could not by any
means miderstand, much less admire, and perching him-
self upon the edge of the boat, to keep his legs out of
harm's way, he asked Mansfield, with a look of astonish-
ment, how he proposed stowing the horses.

Mansfield laughed heartily at the idea of embarking
three fiery horses in a frail basket-boat, and explained
that he only intended to take them in tow, and make
them swim. To accomplish this, in so rapid a stream,
and with so many impediments in their course, appeared
to Charles little less diflicult than embarking them at
once. But, although he fully expected to be forced to
swim for his life, before they reached the opposite side,
he put the best face he could upon the matter, and
looked on in silence.

The Horsekeepers having removed the saddles and
bridles, and fastened a rope round the neck of each
horse, jumped into the basket-boat, and holding the end
of the rope, called to their respective charges to follow
them. The sagacious animals reluctantly obeyed, snort-
ing and pawing, as they gradually waded into the water,
till it suddenly deepened, and they were obliged to
betake themselves to swimming. Once fairly afloat, the
horses were pulled up close to the edge of the basket,
and the Horsekeepers, holding the rope in one hand,
caressed the heads of their favourites with the other,
whilst they strove to encourage them by every term of
endearment, which the fondest nurse could have lavished
oji a frightened child.

280 THE OLD FOREST BANGER.

It is beautiful to witness the mutual attachment
which exists between an Indian groom — than whom
there is no better groom in the world — and his horse ;
and enough to make an Englishman blush for his coim-
try, when he thinks of the barbarous treatment, which
even the best-guided horses sometimes meet with among
his more civilized brethren. But this is a digression,
and one for which English grooms, at least, and perhaps
English steeple-chasers^ will hardly thank us. Well !
no matter — it is a short one — and if it happen to meet
the eye of those worthies — an honour we hardly dare to
hope for — they may revenge themselves by calling the
Forest Ranger an " Old Fogy," which will be no great
matter either : so let us return to our subject.

One vigorous push sufficed to launch the frail bark,
with her living cargo and appendages, from the shel-
tered nook where she lay, into the angry flood ; and
sent her sweeping along with fearful rapidity, amidst
rocks, and shoals, and quicksands. The raging waters
hissed, and roared, and boiled ; the horses snorted ;
the boatmen shouted ; and all appeared a scene of wild
confusion ; whilst to add to the horror of a novice in
such matters, the scaly snout of a hungry alligator would
ever and anon thrust itself above water, as if to remind
the unfortunate occupants of the whirling basket, that
an upset in such company, would probably be attended
with more serious consequences than a wet jacket. The
quick eyes and nervous arms of the practised boatmen,
however, carried them safe through all difficulties.

They had just escaped, by something like a miracle,
from being dashed to pieces on a pointed rock, and had

THE SACKED VILLAGE. 28 i

got into the strength of a rapid which appeared to be
hurrying them towards inevitable destruction in a boil-
ing whirlpool, when by a dexterous push, given at the
right moment, the frail bark was diverted from her
course, and even Mansfield drew his breath more fr-eely,
as he perceived that she had been caught up by a
smooth current of back-water, and was gliding swiftly
and steadily towards the bank.

" Weel, weel; thanks be to goodness we'r no' born
to be drowned ; although some o' us may be spared to
stretch a tow yet : and that ""s a comfortable reflection."
So said the Doctor, now breaking silence for the first
time, and diving into his capacious pocket, in search of
his snuff-mull.

" Which do you call a comfortable reflection, Doc-
tor?" said Mansfield, laughing. " The certainty of our
not being bom to be drowned, or the probability of some
of us living to be hanged — eh l "

" Whist noo. Captain, wi' your ill-timed jokes," re-
plied the Doctor, cramming a huge pinch of snuff" up his
nostrils, and trying to look grave in spite of a strong
inclination to laugh. " Be thankfu"' that ye are in a dry
skin, my man, and dinna be o'er sure it 's no' yoursel'
that has the hangman's mark on him — ye hae an awfu'
hempy look whiles — and, by my troth, I hae seen as
likely a lad come to an ill end."

Having landed in safety, the dripping, half- drowned
horses were rubbed down and saddled, and the travellers,
remounting, rode on slowly towards the village.

It was a lovely morning. The sun, although bright,
even for an Indian sun, had not yet been sufficiently

282 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

long above the horizon to render the heat oppressive.
The balmy morning air had still all the freshness and
elasticity of youth. The dewdrops hung, like liquid dia-
monds, from the long pendant branches of the stately
palm-trees, which bent gracefully over the wimpling
river, as if lost in admiration of their own beautiful
forms. On the opposite bank, the picturesque huts of
the village, half-concealed amidst a grove of venerable
trees, with the richly-carved Pagoda rearing its head
proudly in the midst, were brightly reflected from the
surface of a deep still pool of the river. And on the
strand, and in the water, were numberless groups of
Natives, adding beauty to the scene, by every variety of
graceful drapery and picturesque colouring. In a se-
questered nook, at cautious distance from the contami-
nating presence of his less holy brethren, a devout
Brahmin performed with scrupulous exactness the pre-
scribed number of priestly ablutions, muttering as he
did so his pharisaical prayers. And, on the bank above,
a Fakir e — a Mahometan devotee — naked as at the day of
his birth — for your devout Fakire does not condescend
to the common decencies of life — lay extended at full
length upon his back, with his long tangled locks, which
shears had never dared to violate, carefully spread out
to dry. He also offered up his morning prayers, and
ever as he told a bead, he cast a look of proud contempt
on the benighted Pagan, who, in the plenitude of his
ignorance, shaved his head and clothed his body. Here
a group of laughing Girls disported themselves, like
bathing Nymphs, amidst the sparkling water, whilst
their companions, who had not yet completed their

THE SACRED VILLAGE. 283

morning task, came and went, balancing elegantly-formed
jars on their still more graceful heads ; their silken
robes filling the air with the perfume of sandal-wood, and
the heavy silver bangles, which encircled their ankles,
making music to their light elastic steps. There, a pro-
fessional water-carrier, like an overloaded beast of bur-
den, plodded along under the weight of his well-filled
leathern bag, regardless of all, save the speedy comple-
tion of his laborious duty. In one corner of the bay a
group of industrious fishermen plied their trade, casting
their circular nets with skilful hand. And in another, a
warlike band of Mysore horsemen, armed to the teeth,
and soiled with dust, looked upon the gay scene in stem
silence, whilst their wearied steeds eagerly plunged their
muzzles into the stream, and swallowed copious di-aughts
of the refreshing beverage which had not blessed theu*
sight for many a weary mile.

The stately adjutant, his ponderous bill reposing on
his breast, with a look of dignified importance, stalked
fearless amidst the crowd. And the sacred monkeys,
presuming on the sanctity of their character, frisked and
bounded among the branches overhead ; now descending
to levy their accustomed tribute from the fruit-basket of
a passing Brahmin ; and now insulting, with curiously
abstruse gi'imaces, the profane vulgar, who dared to pass
them by unnoticed.

It was altogether such a scene as a painter would love
to study, or a poet to di-eam of — a scene all life, and
beauty, and apparent happiness. W^ho could look upon
the fair face of Nature on such a morning as this, and
call himself an atheist 'i Or what gloomy philosopher

284 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

would dare to say that this is not a fair world — a world
formed for happiness ?

The heavens smile — the earth smiles — the glad waters
smile, as they flow along their sunny course, through
evergreen woods and flowery meadows. — The beasts of
the field feed, and are thankful — the birds of the air
sing for gladness — the very insects which live but for a
day, sipping the dew of Heaven, and dancing in the sun-
beams, are grateful for their short hours of happiness :
and yet Man, Man alone of all God's creatures, looks
with a jaundiced eye upon the beautiful works of Nature,
and says there is no ,God ! or if there be, that he is a
God to be feared, not loved. Why is this ? So thought
Charles as he gazed upon the scene in silent admiration.
An answer was at hand.

Hark to that strain of barbarous music ! Behold that
far-winding procession approaching from the sacred vil-
lage of the Hindoo ! Mark that group of dancing Girls —
the fairest, yet most dissolute of their sex — singing the
praises of their demon God! The gorgeous car elabo-
rately carved with the most obscene figures, bearing
aloft the hideous Idol of their worship ! The crowd of
frantic devotees dancing and shouting with the air of
maniacs as they draw him along, and ready to throw
themselves, a willing sacrifice, beneath the wheels of his
chariot. See the crafty Priests decking the carved
Image with garlands, and chanting his praises to excite
his benighted worshippers to still more frantic deeds of
superstition. Look upon this — a religious ceremony —
contrast it with the beautiful simplicity of Nature, and
wonder no loiitjer that man is discontented — miserable !

THE SACRED VILLAGE. 285

To one sunk in such depths of ignorance, the voice of
Nature will call unheard, the light of truth will shine
unseen, leaving his darkened mind heedless as the moun-
tain air, through which the eagle's wing hath passed.

Charles turned with horror from the disgusting pa-
geant, and spurred in haste after his companions.

A short ride brought our travellers to the village ;
their way lying through cultivated fields of rice, cotton,
and indigo, intermixed with patches of that graceful
plant, the Palma Christi, from which castor oil — the
common lamp-oil of the lower classes in India — is pre-
pared. Passing through deserted streets — for the whole
male population of the village had poured forth to swell
the procession of their Idol — and stopping for a moment
to admire the beautiful architecture of the Pagoda,
guarded by a gigantic image of the sacred Cow, elabo-
rately carved in black marble, they came upon an open
space beyond the village, and found themselves in front
of a handsome bungalow, built in the European style.
Under a lofty portico, supported by chunam pillars, a
band of obsequious native servants, in flowing robes and
crimson turbans, stood ready to receive them ; and a
fEintastically-dressed trumpeter, bearing a huge serpent-
shaped instrument, decorated with a fringe of Tigers'
tails, brayed forth a deafening welcome.

Charles, who had not been prepared for anything on
so grand a scale, was struck dumb with admiration ; and
his astonishment was not a little increased when, on
entering the house, they were ushered into a lofty apart-
ment, richly carpeted, the walls covered with the most
expensive English prints, intermixed with oil paintings

286 TIIK OLD FOREST RANGER.

of Rhamaswamy and his family ; the furniture being of
the best European manufacture, and the tables covered
with china, or-molu clocks, and other little ornaments,
which one would expect to find in a Lady's boudoir,
rather than in the house of a Native.

Having given his visiters time to admire the deco-
rations, and particularly solicited their attention to a
highly- coloured, but villanously- executed painting of
their absent host, Mr. M — conducted them to the
next room, where a breakfast-table was prepared in the
European style, besides being loaded with a profusion of
the rarest tropical fruits ; and having shown the travel-
lers to their respective bath-rooms, the polite major-
domo took his leave for the present, leaving them to
refresh themselves after the fatigues of their jom-ney.

•' Weel, here 's long life to Rhamaswamy ! " exclaimed
the Doctor, laying aside his knife and fork, and proceed-
ing to wash down a most substantial breakfast with a
goblet of cool claret. " He is a gentleman every inch
o' him, in spite o' his name ; and, by my troth, he kens
how to make himser comfortable, there 's nae doubt o'
that, for there 's no a better keepit house than this in
a' Madras."

" You do injustice to the hospitality of our worthy
host," said Mansfield ; " he never inhabits this house
himself, it is kept up entirely for the accommodation
of his European friends ; and when he visits the Island,
he takes up his abode in one of the neighbouring Brah-
min's houses, living upon the frugal fare of the most
abstemious Hindoo."

•' Weel, weel ! mair 's the pity," replied the Doctor,

THE SACRED VILLAGE. 2<S7

availing himself of the opportunity to fill another bumper
of claret. " But it only proves him to be mair o' a
gentleman than ever ; so here 's to him again, honest
man, and may grace be given him to quit eating cauld
rice, and betake himsel to the mair Christianlike vivers
o' het beefsteaks, and weel corket claret."

Breakfast being finished, our friends lighted their
cheroots and sallied forth on foot to visit the great fall
of Gungan Joohi. Mr. I\I — attended to act as cicerone^
and the trusty Ayapah^ who considered himself an
indispensable appendage to his Master, followed at a
respectful distance. He was armed to the teeth, as
usual, for he loved his weapons as a woman loves her
ornaments, and on his shoulder he bore ^lansfield's ever-
ready rifle. This was the weapon which he respected
above all others — no profane hand ever dared to touch
it — and the worthy Ayapah never threw it across his
shoulder, even on the most pacific occasion, without
assuming a look of determination, M'hich might have
struck awe even to the heart of a Tiger.

The branch of the river which forms the great fall
of Gungan Jooki is divided into two streams, just at
the point where it throws itself over the precipice, by
a small island without a name. We used, in our
younger days, to call it Tiger Island, from the circum-
stance of our having encountered, and narrowly escaped
being devoured by a whole family of these amiable ani-
mals the very first time we set foot upon it — and so
Tiger Island let it be. The appearance of an island
in such a situation, tottering, as it were, on the brink
of destruction, is very striking. It gives one the idea

288 THE OLD FOREST R ANGER.

of its having been floated down the river, and acci-
dentally stopped by some impediment, just as it reached
the brink of the cataract. The i"iver, which for some
distance above the island flows along with a gentle
current, here assumes a new character; the divided
streams, as if irritated by their abrupt separation,
sweep furiously along their rocky channels, fretting
like parted lovers, till having reached the brink of the
precipice which forms the fall, they hail their approach-
ing union with a shout of triumph, and throwing them-
selves headlong from a height of nearly three hundred
feet, are again united. The ever-glowing rainbow, which
floats upon the spray, forms their bridal wTcath, and
Echo sings a marriage-hymn amidst the rocks and
caverns of the surrounding mountains. It is a song
of thunder — fit music for such giant lovers.

CHAPTER XVI.

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALLS OF
THE CAUVARY.

We left our three friends, attended by Mr. M ,

and the trusty A7/apak, on their way to visit the great
fall of Bir Jooki. We have already, in our last chapter,
inflicted upon our readers a translation of the Hindoo
legend, from which this fall derives its name. We
have also attempted to present them with a faint outline
of the river, and Tiger Island. We must now try to
describe the fall itself. But, being aware that the
subject is one considerably beyond our powers, we feel
ourselves in honour bound to forewarn our gentle Reader
of the fact ; and to beg, if he have the slightest objec-
tion to a bad description of fine scenery, that he will
be kind enough to skip over the next few pages, and
either take our word for it that Bir Jooki, in spite of
its barbarous name, is one of the grandest falls in the
world, or, if that be not sufficient, let him, after having
applied to us for a letter of introduction to our friend
Ramaswamy, take his passage in the first ship bound
for Madras, hire a palanquin, with twelve bearers, and
a Mussaulcliee — make the best of his way to the Island
of Seevasamoodrum, and judge for himself.

290 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

After walking about a mile, the party struck into the
low belt of jungle, which skirted, and concealed the
river ; and, descending by a rugged path, suddenly
emerged upon a smooth platform of rock, directly facing
the principal fall, and about a hundred feet above the
level of the basin, into which the cataract discharged
itself. On their left, and so close to their position,
that the rock on which they stood trembled as if shaken
by an earthquake, one branch of the river came bound-
ing from ledge to ledge of rock, forming a succession
of roaring cataracts, and hurrying along, in its head-
long course, huge masses of rock, the crash of which
might be heard, even amidst the din of raging waters.
Directly opposite, the great fall rushed in one unbroken
sheet of water, over a perpendicular cliff, nearly three
hundred feet in height, and was lost in the cloud of
spray, which, rising from the dark abyss, like steam
from a boiling caldron, rolled away in light eddying
wreaths, along the sides of the surrounding mountains.

So stupendous a scene, bursting suddenly upon the
beholder, is almost overpowering. The steady, unceas-
ing, irresistible, rush of the eternal waters — giving one
the idea, more than any other object in nature, of un-
limited power — the fearful turmoil, unseen though heard,
in the fathomless gulf below, the dull monotonous roar,
the mysterious cloud of vapour, all tend to bewilder
the senses. The head swims, the sight is dazzled, the
ear is stunned, all the faculties appear to be paralyzed.
Man feels his o\\ti insignificance, and the proudest gazes
for a moment in awe-struck silence.

Even the Doctor held his breath, and the remains of

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALLS OF THE CAUVARY. 291

his beloved cheroot, not yet lialf consumed, dropped
miheeded from his lips.

Mansfield, folding his arms upon his chest, gazed upon
the bewildering scene, with the same calm and ap-
parently unmoved expression, which his noble features
ever wore, even in moments of the greatest excitement ;
but the flashing of his dark eye showed that lofty
thoughts were swelling in his bosom.

Charles, also, stood for some moments in silence, till,
overpowered by the rush of poetical images which
crowded upon his mind, he sprang forward to the very
edge of the precipice, and throwing his arms aloft, like
a young eagle spreading its wings for flight, shouted, at
the very top of his voice, the following beautiful lines
from"ChUde Harold:"—

" The roar of waters ! from the headlong height,
Velino cleaves the wave-worn precipice ;
The fall of waters ! rapid as the light.
The flashing mass foams, shaking the abyss.
The hell of waters ! where they howl and hiss.
And boil in endless torture ; while the sweat
Of their great agony, wrung out from this
Their Phlegethon, curls round the rocks of jet
That gird the gulf around, in pitiless horror set.

And mounts in spray the skies, and thence Eigain
Returns in an unceasing shower, which round,
"With its unemptied cloud of gentle rain.
Is an eternal April to the ground.
Making it aU one emerald : — how profound
The gulf ! and how the giant element
From rock to rock leaps with dehrious bound.
Crushing the cliffs, which, downward worn and rent
With his fierce footsteps, yield in chasms a fearful vent,
u 2

2.92 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

To the broad column which rolls on, and shows

More like the fountain of an infant sea

Torn from the womb of mountains by the throes

Of a new world, than only thus to be

Parent of rivers, which flow gushingly.

With many windings through the vale : — Look back !

Lo ! where it comes like an eternity.

As if to sweep down all things in its track.

Charming the eye with dread, — a matchless cataract.

Horribly beautiful ! but on the verge.

From side to side, beneath the glittering morn.

An iris sits amidst the infernal surge.

Like Hope upon a death-bed, and, unworn

Its steady dyes, while all around is torn

By the distracted waters, bears serene

Its brilliant hues with all their beams unshorn :

Resembling, 'mid the torture of the scene.

Love watching madness with unalterable mien."

" Whew ! " the Doctor gave a long whistle, turned on
his heel, picked up the stump of his cheroot, replaced it
in the corner of his mouth, seated himself on a stone,
puffed out a huge volume of smoke, and winking at
Mansfield, tapped his forehead significantly with his
forefinger, thereby implying that he had serious mis- •
givings as to the perfect sanity of " The laddie, Maister
Charles."

Standing, as he did, on the brink of a precipice, his
arms outstretched, his flowing locks drenched by the
heavy spray which fell around him, and shouting at the
top of his voice, as if declaiming to the spirits of the
flood, the excited appearance of our young friend was
such as might have induced a commonplace, unimagina-
tive mind, to coincide in the Doctor's opinion. But

TIGER IILNTING AT THE lALLS OF THE CALVARY. 21)3

Mansfield, although a bit of a stoic in externals, was
an enthusiast at heart, and liked to see enthusiasm in
others. He remembered the day when he would have
acted as Charles did, and a benevolent smile played
around his mouth, a responsive chord vibrated in his
heart, as he witnessed this natural burst of feeling in
his young companion.

"A good and apt quotation, boy," said he, tapping
Charles on the shoulder, "and one I had almost for-
gotten, I thank you for reminding me of it. If you
are ever asked for a description of the Falls of Gungah,
you cannot do better than repeat these very lines. But
your eyes have been so intently riveted upon that ' Hell
of waters,' as your friend Byron has it, that you have
not yet beheld half the beauties of the scene. Look up-
wards, above the cloud of spray, hanging, as it were,
between Heaven and earth, with what an air of dignified
composm-e that beauteous island, glowing in all the
splendour of tropical vegetation, sits like a Queen,
smiling amidst the war of elements. And here, to the
right, see that narrow gorge, throughout which the
foaming torrent, lashed to madness in this boiling whirl-
pool, liounds with such frantic speed, like a hunted Lion,
bursting tlu'ough the toils. Cast your eyes around,
mark the grandeur of the hills, by which we are sur-
rounded— children of an earthquake — their hoary heads,
scathed by the fires of heaven, bleached by the storms of
a thousand ages, piercing the clouds ; their rugged fronts
frowning defiance to the spirits of the tempest ; proud
and unyielding, as at the day of their birth. See the
graceful feathery bamboo, cowering from the blast, and

294 THE OLD FOREST RANGEK.

clinging for protection to their iron sides. The deep
scarlet flowers of the rhododendron, glowing like gems,
upon the i-ugged breast of that moss-grown rock. The
swift-winged paroquets darting among the branches of
that lofty teak-tree — The — Ha ! what was that 1 "

Mansfield stopped short, in the midst of his rhapsody,
and, bending forward, listened eagerly for a repetition
of the sound which had attracted his attention. Again
it was heard, even amidst the din of rushing waters, and
this time there could be no mistake. It was the short
barking cry of the spotted deer, and, apparently, close
at hand. Charles fixed his eyes upon Mansfield's face,
with an inquiring look, as if he expected some explana-
tion of so strange a circumstance. But Mansfield, whose
quick ear immediately recognized the well-knov\Ti signal
of an Indian Shikaree, bounded forward, without utter-
ing a word, and, snatching the proffered rifle from the
hand of Ayapah, followed with his eye the direction of
his finger, as he pointed eagerly towards the bottom of a
deep ravine, which flanlied their position, and whispered
the exciting word — Bhag.

Mansfield's rifle was thrown hastily forward, as a
bramble-bush, immediately below him, was seen to rustle,
and a solitary monkey, which sat grinning, like an evil
spirit, in a dark nook of the glen, began to spring from
rock to rock, filhng the air with hideous screams. Swift
as lightning a brindled mass glided, like a huge snake,
across an open space in the bushes, and again disap-
peared in the dense thicket which filled the bottom of
the ravine. The report of the rifle bellowed among
the rocky caverns, as if a twelve-pounder had been

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALLS OF THE CALVARY. 29o

discharged, and the narrow chasm was filled with a
dense cloud of smoke. But no angry roar answered
to the shot ; and when the sulphury vapour rolled away,
the blue mark of the bullet, which had flattened upon
a stone, in the dry watercourse below, convinced Mans-
field that, for once, a Tiger had been too quick for him.

" Away with you, son of a slave ! " cried he, turning
upon the unfortunate Ayapah, for want of some more
fitting object upon which to vent his wrath, — " why do
you stand gaping there like an old woman, as if you had
never seen a Tiger missed before ? Off with you, I say,
to the top of the hill, and mark him."

Ayapah turned, \\'ithout answering a word, and dashed
into the jungle — next moment he was seen perched
amongst the highest branches of a tree, which cro^\Tied
a hill, and commanded a full view of every outlet from
the ravine. But INIansfield waited, in vain, for a signal
that the Tiger had appeared. Ayapah remained mo-
tionless as a vulture watching his prey.

" He does not intend to show himself, I find," ob-
served Mansfield, thro^^'ing his rifle carelessly into the
hollow of his arm. " As my friend Ayapah would say,
he has no fancy to eat bullets ; but ^ve must force him

a httle. Mr. M , I believe you liave some good

Shikarees in your village."

" Yes, Sar," replied the half-caste, with alacrity.
" Plenty Shikarees got — plenty nets got. Suppose I
give order, in one half-hour plenty Shikar Men attend
Master's pleasure. That very bad Tiger, Sar — two
mans he eat last week. Suppose Master kill that Tiger,
that thing make black man's heai*t glad. He very much

296 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

ceremony make — plenty cocoa-nut, plenty jaggary he
give to Swamy."

" Ha ! another Man-eater. By the hump of the
Holy Camel we are in luck. And nets too, you say. I
am glad of that, it is the most effectual way of securing
a Tiger in such jungly ground. The sooner, then, you
can get the Shikarees, and the nets, the better. And,

hark ye, Mr. M , if you can manage to procure a

few rockets, at the same time, I shall feel obliged — it
will save much trouble in beating him up. I shall leave
Ayapah here, to watch the ravine, and, in the mean
time, I would propose that we adjourn to the bungalow,
and have some tiffin, to give us strength for the en-
counter."

" What new species of shikar is this ?" asked Charles,
with a look of wonder. " Do you really mean to say
that you intend to catch the Tiger in a net! — to bag
him like a rabbit ? "

" Ay," replied Mansfield, smiling, " and to spear him
too, when he is bagged. How like you the idea, boy,
of spearmg a Tiger on foot ? It will be something to
talk of, when you get back to the Hills."

Charles appeared rather startled by this proposal, but
said nothing.

The Doctor sprang to his feet, shoved his hands deep
into his pockets, and stood staring at Mansfield with a
look of utter bewilderment.

" Spear a Tiger ! " The words dropped from his lips
as slowly as if he had stopped to weigh each individual
syllable. " Spear a Tiger ! The Lord forgie ye, Captain.
I aye thought ye had a bee in your bonnet ; but now I

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALL:S OF THE CALVARY. 297

am satisfied ye are just fit for Bedlam. Spear a Tiger
indeed ! Did ony leevin' mortal ever hear the like ! "
So saying, the Doctor turned on his heel, and marched
off, whistling the old Scotch tune of " The Devil among
the Tailors."

" Our friend the Doctor does not appear to relish the
idea of spearing a Tiger," said Mansfield, indulging in
a quiet laugh ; " but, I can assure you, it may be done,
and is done, constantly, in some parts of India. How-
ever, you shall see, and judge for yourself. It will, at
all events, be something new, and I think you will allow
it to be the most exciting style of sport you have yet
seen."

The Sportsmen had hardly finished their tiffin, ere a
clamorous beating of tomtoms, and blowing of horns,
announced that the Shikarees had arrived. Mansfield
and Charles started to their feet, at the welcome sound,
— thrust their hunting-knives into their belts, — snatched
up their rifles, and sallied forth to inspect and arrange
their forces. Even the Doctor, whose blood had been
warmed with generous wine, shared in the enthusiasm
of the moment. Shouldering his favourite weapon,
Mons Meg, he crammed his broad-brimmed hat fiercely
over his eyes — swallowed a glass of brandy-and-water,
to strengthen his nerves, — and swearing, by the " Piper
of war !" that he would not be outdone by " ony young
birkie o' them a'," struck up the warlike tune of " Johnny
Cope," and strode after his companions, with the air of
a man, determined to do or die.

On the steps of the portico, they were received with
a profound salaam, h\ the Cotwall, or head policeman

298 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

of the village, in his holiday robes. The quaintly-dressed
trumpeter gave forth a deafening blast, from his gigantic
instrument, streaming with Tigers' tails, the hard-earned
trophies of many a bloody field. A confused clatter of
tomtoms rent the air; and the assembled multitude
prostrated themselves before the Burrah Sahib, whose
fame as a Tiger-killer had reached even to the banks of
the Cauvary.

The Cotwall, in a flowing speech, complimented Mans-
field on his exploits, calling him, " the Lion of ^Mysore —
the Invincible — the Open-handed," — here he looked out
of the corner of his eye to see whether this last com-
pliment was likely to produce the desired effect upon
Mansfield's purse-strings ; and concluded by expressing
a hope that the arrangements he had made, might meet
with the approbation of his Magnificence.

His Magnificence, who, instead of attending to the
CotwaWs elaborate speech, had been counting the
number of the beaters, and scanning the features of
the Shikarees, with the eye of a connoisseur, expressed
his entire satisfaction ; and, slipping a pagoda into the
extended hand of the delighted Cotwall, informed him
that he was at liberty to make his salaam^ and take
leave.

The Cotioall had done his duty, and well deserved
the present bestowed upon him. In front of the crowd,
leaning on their long matchlocks, stood four Shikarees
of the real fighting caste — long-legged, wiry, hard-
featured, hairy-muzzled, devil-me-care-looking fellows —
such as a Yankee would say, at the first glance, were
" fit to flog their weight in wild cats." Behind them.

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALLS OF THE CAUVARY. 299

some dozen naked Coolies tottered under the weight of
the hunting-nets, or toils. And beyond them again,
appeared the whole male population of the village,
liberally pro^^ded with tomtoms, horns, and other noisy
instruments, from which, from time to time, issued
diaboUcal notes of discord, expressive of eagerness, and
overflowing valour. Mansfield hanng ascertained that
all the necessary prepai'ations had been made, the pro-
cession moved off in good order to the scene of action.

On arriving at the ground, Ayapah was found still
sitting patiently at his post ; and from him the welcome
intelligence was obtained that the Tiger had not yet
moved.

The Shikarees^ who appeared perfectly to understand
their business, bustled about with great activity, and,
in a wonderfully short space of time, the toils were
pitched, and the Tiger's lair so effectually surrounded
that it appeared impossible for him to escape. But how
was this done ? some of our Readers may ask — we must
try to explain.

The toils are huge nets, made in the same manner as
those used for fishing, only that they are formed of
stronger cord, nearly as thick as the little finger, and
with meshes large enough to admit a man's head. The
ground having been first carefully examined, poles, about
ten feet long, pointed at one end, and having a notch at
the top, are driven into the ground at regular intervals,
across every outlet by which it appears possible for an
animal to escape. Upon these the toils, or nets, are
suspended, like a curtain, with the upper rope resting
in the notch on the top of the pole. This is so slightly

300 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

fixed, that the moment a large animal rushes against
the net, it becomes disengaged, the net falls over the
animal, and in his struggles to escape he becomes so
entangled in the meshes, that the Hunters, who lie in
ambush at a short distance, and who, in general, are
only armed with spears, have time to run in and de-
spatch him before he can exti'icate himself.

Every thing being arranged, a council of war was
held, to decide finally, whether the bold experiment of
attacking the Tiger with spears should be attempted.
The Doctor remonstrated loudly ; but the tclat of such
an adventure was a temptation not to be resisted. It
was voted decidedly unsportsmanlike to shoot a Tiger
after he had been netted — it was taking an unsrentle-
manlike advantage of him. — In short, the Doctor's ob-
jections were over-ruled, and the measure carried, with
great applause from Charles, and a grim smile of satis-
faction on the part of Ayapah.

Two strong, broad-bladed, hunting-spears having been
provided, Mansfield and Charles laid aside their rifles,
and, armed with these more primitive weapons, posted
themselves at some distance from each other, so as to
command the only two outlets from the ravine, by which
it appeared probable that the Tiger would attempt to
escape. The more prudent Doctor, having no idea of
risking his valuable life in any such wild adventure,
climbed, with the assistance of Ayapah, into a neigh-
bouring tree, and lighting his cheroot, nestled himself
among the branches, to witness the coming strife in
safety and comfort.

For some time after they had taken their i)ositions,

TIGER HUNTING AT TIIR FALLS OF THE CAUVAKV. 301

all remained quiet — not a leaf stirred — no sound was
heard, save the dull, hoarse, monotonous roar of the
cataract, which, mellowed by the intervening woods,
only served to increase the feeling of lifeless solitude,
imparted by the perfect stillness of all else around, to
the silent lairs of the watchful Sportsmen.

The Doctor's patience, and his cheroot, were both
wellnigh exhausted. Charles, in spite of himself, was
beginning to feel that disagreeable, cold, creeping,
nervous sensation, which is not fear, but which will
occasionally steal over the stoutest heart in such a
situation ; it is a feeling w hicli any of my readers who
have happened to lead a forlorn hope, or have stood
upon a frigate's deck, during the few minutes of por-
tentous silence which precede the first broadside, may
perhaps remember. Even JMansfield was beginning to
handle his spear in a fidgety manner, and to think, with
peculiar affection, of his trusty rifle, when a distant
shout came swelling on the breeze, and all ideas, save
those of victory, vanished.

Nearer, and nearer came that cheering sound. The
air was filled with wild discordant cries — the rocky sides
of the ravine echoed to the clatter of a hundred tomtoms.
Now is heard the rushing sound of the lively rockets,
as they dart, like hissing snakes, among the tangled
bushes — and now the angry voice of the hunted Tiger,
as he starts indignant from his lair, and roars defiance
to his foes.

Every nerve was braced, and the blood rushed like
lightning through the veins of the excited Sportsmen,
as that sound reached their ears. The shouting of the

302 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

beaters was redoubled — a shower of rockets swept the
ravine hke a storm of fire, — and the Tiger, rushing at
once from his concealment, dashed, with tremendous
bounds, towards the pass which Charles commanded.
He had approached within ten yards of the nets, when
he suddenly stopped, having probably observed the im-
pediment, and stood in an attitude of indecision, lash-
ing his tail from side to side, and uttering a low savage
growl. Charles, in conformity with the directions he
had received from Mansfield, immediately stepped from
his concealment, and, bringing his spear down to the
charging position, advanced steadily towards the frail
barrier, which formed his only defence against the ex-
pected charge of his formidable antagonist. It was a
moment of fearful interest ; and the Doctor, who from
his perch commanded a full view of the scene, felt the
blood curdling in his veins. But Charles, although he
felt a peculiar tingling of the nerves, and a slight palpi-
tation of the heart, bore himself gallantly.

No sooner did the Tiger perceive his intended victim,
than his whole appearance was altered. His green eyes
glared savagely — his ears were laid flat back upon his
neck — the hair upon his back stood erect, — and, crouch-
ing close to the ground, he crept swiftly towards the
nets. Having got sufficiently near, he uttered a tre-
mendous roar, and springing forward with a lashing
bound, threw himself against the net with a force that
threatened to carry every thing before it. But the
tough cordage yielded to the shock without sustaining
any injury, — the upper rope became disengaged, — the
net fell together in a heap — and the enraged monster

TIGER HUNTING AT THE FALLS OF THE CAUVARY. 803

was instantly enveloped in a complicated mass of net-
work, from which, in spite of his frantic efforts, he
found it impossible to disengage himself.

So furious was the onset of the Tiger, and so appa-
rently frail the defence opposed to it, that Charles had
not sufficient command of nerve to stand his ground ;
— he made an involuntary spring backward, stumbled,
and fell.

The Doctor, seeing the desperate rush of the Tiger,
accompanied by a roar that made his heart sink within
him, and perceiving through a cloud of dust, that the
net was, apparently, demolished, and his young friend
down, immediately jumped to the conclusion that he
must be in the Tiger's jaws. His first impulse was to
shout to Mansfield for help, which he did right lustily ;
his next to slide from his perch, with a reckless haste
that considerably injured the appearance of his Jiether
garments ; to snatch up his fusee, and hurry to the
rescue, invoking maledictions on the man who first
invented the desperate amusement of spearing Tigers
on foot.

But, ere he could reach the scene of action, Charles
had recovered his footing, picked up his spear, and
driven it deep into the chest of the Tiger. The pre-
vious struggles of the powerful animal were those of
a cat, compared to the frantic efforts which he now made
to reach his pigmy antagonist. His eyes glowed like
live coals — foam, mingled with blood, flew in spray from
his distended jaws — he roared — he gnashed his teeth —
he tore up the earth — he twisted and turned with the
agility of a wild cat. By dint of gnawing, he had so

SOi THK OT.n rORKST I?AXGER.

far succeeded in destroying the net, that his head pro-
truded ; but still the complicated folds entangled his
limbs and paralyzed his efforts. Charles, although tre-
mendously knocked about, clung manfully to his weapon,
and exerted his utmost strength to force it through the
monster's body and pin him to the ground. At length
the Tiger succeeded in grasping the shaft with his
powerful jaws, and, by one vigorous shake, snapped the
tough ash-pole as if it had been a reed. Charles,
although partially disarmed, still retained sufficient
courage and presence of mind to make the best use of
what remained of his weapon, and so gain time till
assistance arrived ; he had never quitted his hold of the
spear-shaft, and, with this, he showered such a volley
of blows uj^on the Tiger''s head, as partially to stupify
him, and thereby impede his efforts to disengage
himself.

The Doctor, whose courage had failed him, the mo-
ment he perceived Charles on foot again, had all this
time remained at a respectful distance, dancing about
like a maniac, brandishing " Mo7is Meg,'''' and shouting
to Charles " to baud out o' the gate till he got a rattle
at the brute wi' the grit-shot." But Charles, who ex-
pected no aid from any one but Mansfield, was much too
busily engaged in preventing the Tiger from getting
clear of the nets, to pay any attention to his exclama-
tions, and continued to thrash away with his heavy ash
pole like a young Hercules. The Tiger's efforts, how-
ever, instead of diminishing, only seemed to increase.
He gnawed, and tore, and plunged, with the fury of
desperation. Mesh after mesh of the strong network

Tir.ER HUXTIN'G AT THE FALLS OF THE CAUVAKY. 30J

gradually gave way. He had already succeeded in liber-
ating one fore-paw as well as his haed, and it was but
too evident that a few more vigorous struggles must set
him free. At this critical moment, Mansfield came
bounding over the rocks, and, uttering a hearty cheer
of encouragement to Charles, drove his spear deep into
the body of the Tiger. Instead of attempting to hold
the animal do\ATi, as Charles had done, he uistantly with-
drew the weapon, and repeated his thrusts with such
strength and rapidity, that in spite of a desperate resist-
ance on the part of the Tiger, he was speedily covered
with wounds, and bleeding at every pore. The rapid
loss of blood had perceptibly diminished his strength —
his shrill roar was changed to a hoarse bubbling growl —
the victory was all but gained — when, with one tremen-
dous blow of his gigantic fore-paw, he snapped the shaft
of the spear in two, leaving the iron head sticking in his
owTi body, and bringing down the butt-end of the shaft
with such violence upon ISIansfield's head, that he fell
backwards, stunned and insensible.

The case was now indeed a desperate one. Poor
Charles, although his courage failed not, was so much
exhausted by his previous exertions, that his blows fell
harmless as those of a child, and it was evident that
he could not much longer maintain the unequal contest.
Most heartily did he now wish for his trusty rifle, and
loudly did he call upon the Doctor for assistance.

The Tiger, weakened though he was by loss of blood,
had by this time so far succeeded in destroying the net,
that his head and shoulders were at liberty. One
struggle more, and he was free, to wreak a fearful ven-

306 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

geance on his foes — to quench his burning thirst in their
blood. A helhsh fire shot from his eyes, and his whis-
kered lips curled into a grin of ineffable malignity as he
gathered himself together for a decisive spring. It was
madness to oppose him longer. Charles, upbraiding the
Doctor for a cold-blooded poltroon, turned to fly ; but,
in doing so, he stumbled over his prostrate companion,
and fell heavily.

Doctor ! Doctor ! where is your manhood ? Will you
allow your gallant young companion to be miserably
mangled before your eyes I — No ! — The latent spark of
fire which lurked in the blood of his Celtic ancestor,
is at length roused. He utters a war-cry — he rushes
boldly between the infuriated Tiger and his prostrate
victims, — Mons Meg pours forth her deadly contents,
— and the monster, in the very act of springing rolls
dead at his feet, with two ounces of " grit-shot" in his
brain. Hurrah ! !

" What think ye o' the grit-shot now, Captain V ex-
claimed the Doctor, pointing with an air of triumph to
the dead Tiger, as soon as Mansfield had sufficiently
recovered from the stunning effects of the blow, to
understand how narrowly he had escaped destruction.
" There are waur things than a fusee and grit-shot, at a
pinch, I 'm thinkin'. That plan o' yours, o'' spearin'
Tigers, is a' very weel, for ance in a way ; but, by my
troth, lads, ye had better no make a practice o't."

This was a sentiment in which the two young Sportsmen
perfectly concurred. They had got a lesson which made
them heartily repent of their folly. And, after return-
ing thanks for their Providential escape, and bestowing

TIGER IIUXTIXG AT THE FALLS OF THE CAUVARY. 307

abundant praise on the Doctor for his timely aid, they
both vowed, solemnly, never more to engage in so fool-
hardy an adventure.

Great were the rejoicings that night in the Sacred
Village, and many were the good jokes cracked by the
worthy Doctor over a bottle of Glenlivat^ which he
insisted on draining in honour of his victory.

We have heard it hinted, that towards the " sma**
hours,*'"' the Doctor was seen pursuing rather a tortuous
course towards his bedroom, under the guidance of his
friend Heels ; but this we believe to be a calumny. At
all events, it was the proudest day in the worthy Doc-
tor's life ; and, to this hour, his favourite story after
dinner is, " The daft-like Tiger-hunt, wi' thae twa wild
Birkies, at the Falls of the Cauvary."

X -J.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE HUNTERS' RETURN; AND A LITTLE
LOVE-MAKING.

Love-making ! Love-making ! Ha ! ha ! Fair Reader,
does it not make thee laugh to see the weather-beaten,
smi-dried Old Forester thus deliberately announcing
that he is about to attempt a love scene — to dash head-
long into a description of that all-powerful passion which
our quaint friend, Burton, describes as "aj^re in afire ;
the quintessence of fire," — backing his assertion by the
following fearful description of an unfortunate youth,
who died for love, and was dissected in the presence of
Empedocles, the philosopher : —

" His heart was combust, his liver smoakie, his lungs
dried iip, insomuch that he verily believed his soul
was either sod ,or rosted, through the vehemency of love's
firer

There, young Ladies ! — there 's a pretty fiery subject
for an old fellow of three score and ten to handle!
" He '11 burn his fingers," you will say. That, between
you and ourselves, we think very probable ; but, having
followed our young friend, Chai'les, so far through the
dangers of the wilderness, we are loath to desert him,
now that he is in a fair way of having his soul either
'''sod or rosted" by the bright eyes of his pretty Cousin.

THE hunters' RETURX ; AND A LITTLE LOVE-MAKIXG. 309

No, no ; we must stand by him, even at the risk of burn-
ing our fingers. But, before we re-introduce the dan-
gerous Httle beauty, we must see how it fares with our
male friends, whom we left at the Falls of the Cauvary,
and who are now on their way back to Ootaeamund.

" So ends our jungle campaign for the present," said
Mansfield, throwing the reins upon the neck of his
smoking horse, and removing his heavy hunting-cap, to
let the cool mountain-air fan his throbbing temples, as
the Hunters, after a hot and rapid ride, of some twenty
miles, emerged from the dense jungle which encircles
the Neilgherry Hills, and commenced the toilsome but
beautifid ascent which leads to their summit. " Away
with the spear and the rifle for a season ; and now,
Charley, my boy, for Ladies' eyes and love-ditties ! Ha !
have I guessed your thoughts I "

Charles, whose eyes had been riveted on the cloud-
capped summits of the mountains ever since they became
visible, and whose thoughts were, at that moment, many
miles in advance of his body, felt the conscious blood
mount into his cheeks.

" Nay, nay, never be ashamed to own it, boy. I have
seen a little of the world in my day, and never yet have
I met with a real good soldier, a forward rider, or a
stanch Deer-stalker, who had not a soft corner in his
heart for ' The Angels of the Creation.' What say
you, Doctor, is it not so ? "

" By my troth, Captain, ye never said a truer word,"
replied the Doctor. " I ken weel what it is to hae a
soft heart, an o'er soft heart for the Lasses — bless their
sweet faces. — Hech, Sirs ! hech. Sirs ! it 's just a slavish

X 3

310 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

passion, yon love," — and the Doctor heaved a deep sigh,
and turned up the whites of his eyes, as if overwhehned
by a torrent of tender recollections.

" What ! Bully Doctor," exclaimed Mansfield, laugh-
ing, " art thou, too, a victim to the tender passion I By
the darts of Cupid ! I would as soon have expected to
see a Brahmin Priest turn rope-dancer, as to find our
sapient Leech acting the love-sick Swain. Why, thou
burly Scot, I fancied if thou hadst a soft corner in thy
heart at all, thy weakness was for a haunch of venison,
or a bottle of Glenlivat, rather than the Ladies. But
come. Doctor, confess : — who is the enslaver of thy ten-
der heart ? * Tell me, in sadness, whom she is you love ?'
Her name — her name, I pray."

" Whist, Captain," said the Doctor, with a look of
mock gravity, " and dinna be speakin' about things ye
dinna understand. Ye hae nae mair idea o' what true
love is, ye stony-hearted Deevle, than that black Pagan,
Heels ; and ye would just like to make sport o' Maister
Charles and me, because we hae the feelings o' Christian
men. But you needna expect us to pleasure you that
far : so ye may just quit wi' your daffin. And now, lads,
that ye hae minded me o't, I maun beg o' you no to
crack nae mair o' your jokes about the Glenlivat. It's
a' very weel in the jungles. .But in civilized society.
Gentlemen, I beg to remind you that it 's no' good man-
ners. In fact, it's just enough to ruin a respectable
man's character; and gar folk believe, that he is nae
better than a poor drunken body, like my auld Grand
Uncle, the Laird o' Bonniemoon, — rest his soul, honest
man ! And ye ken weel that 's no' my case — for, although

THE HLNTEKS RETUUN ; AND A MTTLE LOVE-.MAKINU . lil\

1 like a glass o' het toddy as weel as my neighbours, and
although we have had twa or three cantie nights the-
gether, yet ye maun baith allow that ye hae never seen
me rightly fou yet — "

"Oh! oh! Doctor!^'

" Aye ! ye may cry ' oh ! oh ! ' But I '11 uphaud it that
ye hae never seen me right fou yet, although I '11 no"
deny but what I hae, anes or twice, been a wee thmg
hearty and chatty like."

" Well, Doctor," replied Mansfield, laughing, "we'll
not dispute the point. You shall have the best possible
character for sobriety, and we shall not crack any more
jokes about the Glenlivat. But, in return, pray give us
a definition of what you consider being fou, that we may
know, in future, at what particular stage of obfuscation
a cannie Scot may, with propriety, be termed di-unk."

" Weel, Gentlemen," said the Doctor, looking wise,
and taking a pinch of snufi*, " that 's rather a kittle
question to answer, for ye maun ken there is a gi*eat
diversity of opeenion on that subject. Some say that a
man is sober as long as he can stand upon his legs. An
Ireish friend o' mine — a fire-eating, hard-drinking Cap-
tain of dragoons — anes declared to me, on his honour as
a soldier and a jontleman, that he would never allow
any friend of his to be called drunk, till he saw him
trying to light his pipe at the pump. And others there
])e — men of learning and respectability too — who are
of opinion that a man has every right to consider him-
self sober as long as he can lie flat on his back,
without holding by the ground. For my own part, I am
a moderate person,, and would allow that a man was fou,

oJ2 THE OLD FOREST BANGER.

without being just sae far through as ony o' these. But,
with your leave, Gentlemen, I '11 tell you a story, about
the Laird o' Bonniemoon, that will, maybe, gar you
laugh, and will, at any rate, be a good illustration of
what I ca' being fou."

" Do, do. Doctor," exclaimed both the young men,
delighted at the prospect of having one of the Doctor's
good stories to beguile the tedium of the long ascent.

" Weel then, Gentlemen, ye maun ken that the Laird
of Bonniemoon was gae fond o' his bottle — in short, just
a poor drunken body, as I said afore. On one occasion
the Laird was asked to dine with Lord R — , a neighbour
of his, and his Lordship, being weel acquainted with
the Laird's dislike to sma' drinks, ordered a bottle o'
cherry brandy to be set down afore him, after dinner,
instead of port, which he always drank in preference to
claret, when nothing better was to be got. The Laird
he thought this fine heartsome stuff, and on he went,
filling his glass like the rest, and telling his cracks, and
ever, the mair he drank, the mair he praised his Lord-
ship's port. It was fine, full-bodied wine, and lay weel
upon the stamach, no' like that puisonsome stuff, claret,
that gar't a body feel as if he had swallowed a nest of
puddocks. Weel, Gentlemen, the Laird had finished
ae bottle o' cherry brandy — or, as his Lordship called
it, his particular port — and had just tossed off a glass
of the second bottle, which he declared to be even
better than the first, when his old confidential servant,
Watty, came stavin into the room, and making his best
boo, amiounced that the Laird's horse was at the door.

" ' Get out o' that, ye fause loon,' cried the Laird,

TiiK hunters' return; and a little love-making. 313

pooiii' aff his wig and flinging it at AVatty's head.
' Div ye no' see, ye blethering brute, that I 'm just
beginning my second bottle : '

" ' But, maister,' said Watty, seartin his lug, ' it 's
amaist twall o'clock ! '

" ' AV^eel ! what though it be T said the Laird, turn-
ing up his glass with drunken gravity, while the rest of
the company were like to split their sides with laughing
at him and AV^atty. ' It camia be ony later, my man,
so just rax me my wig, and let the naig bide a wee/

" Weel, Gentlemen, it was a cauld frosty night, and
Watty soon tired o kicking his heels at the front door ;
so, in a wee while, back he comes, and says he,

'* ' Maibter, maister, it 's amaist one o'clock ! '

" ' Weel, Watty,' says the Laird, wi' a hiccup — for
he was far tln'ough by this time, — ' it will no"' be ony
earlier, Watty, my man, and that 's a comfort, so you
may just rest yourself a wee while longer, till I finish
my bottle. A fou wanie makes a stiff back, ye ken.'

" Watty was by this time just dancing mad ; so,
after waiting another half-hour, back he comes, in an
awfu' hurry, and says he,

" ' Laird, Laird, as true as death, the sun's rising! '

" ' Weel, Watty,' says the Laird, looking awfu' wise,
and trying wi' baith hands to fill his glass, ' let him rise,
my man, let him rise — he has farther to gang the day
than either you or me, Watty.'

" This answer fairly dumfoundered poor Watty, and
he gave it up in despair. But at last the bottle was
finished : the Laird was lifted into the saddle, and off
he rode in high glee, thinkin' a' the time, the moon

314 THE OLD 1-OKEST RANUEll.

was the sun, and that he had fine dayUght for his
journey.

" ' Hech ! Watty, my man,' says the Laird, patting
his stomach, and speaking awfu"* thick, ' we waurna the
waur o' that second bottle this frasty marning.'

" ' Faith,' says Watty, blawing his fingers, and look-
ing as blue as a partan, ' your honour is, maybe, no' the
waur o't, but fient a hait is my wame the better ; I wish
it was.'

" Weel, on they rade, fou cannily, the Laird gripping
hard at the horse's mane, and rolling about like a bow o'
meal ; for the cauld air was beginning to gar the speerits
tell on him.

*' At last they came to a wee bit burn that crossed
the road ; and the Laird's horse being pretty well used
to having his own way, stopped short, and put do\Mi his
head to take a drink. This had the effect of making
the poor Laird lose his balance, and away he went over
the horse's ears into the very middle o' the burn. The
Laird, honest man, had just sense enough to hear the
splash, and to ken that something was wrong; but he
was that fou, that Deevle a bit did he ever suspect it
was himsel'.

" ' Watty,' says he, sitting up in the middle o' the
burn, and stammering out the words with great diffi-
culty, ' Watty, my man, there is surely something
tumbled in the burn, Watty.'

" ' Faith, your Honour may say that,' replied Watty,
like to whamble off his horse with laughing, ' for it 's
just yoursel', Laird ! '

" ' Hout fie, no, AV^atty ! ' cried the Laird, with a

THE hunters' return; and a little love- .making. 315

hiccup between every word ; ' it surely canna be me,
^Vatty, for / 'm here ! '

" Now, Gentlemen," continued the Doctor, " here is
a case in which I would allow a man to be fou, although
he had neither lost his speech nor the use of his limbs."

" Why, yes, Doctor," said Mansfield, laughing, " I
think when a man is so far gone, that he tumbles into
the water without being conscious of it, one may fairly
be allowed to pronounce him fou. But proceed,
proceed, I long to hear how Watty behaved on the
occasion."

" Troth, Sir, he just behaved as any other douce,
sober, serving-man would hae done on a like occasion.
After having had his laugh out — for he wasna fit to get
off his horse till he had done that — he trailed his master
out of the water, laid him on the bank to dry, and set
off to look after the Laird's hat and wig, which had been
carried off by the burn ; for Watty was valet as well
as groom, and had a great respect for the Laird's best
sabath-day wig. After some trouble he succeeded in
decking them up with the crook of his umbrella, and
restored them to his master.

" The Lau'd being fou, as aforesaid, very naturally
clapped on his wig wrong side foremost ; but, fou
though he was, he was aware that it didna fit him ; so
he tore it off in a rage, and flung it at Watty's head,
saying, with a look o' great disgust,

" ' That 's no' my wig, Watty ; that 's no' my wig, ye
fause loon ; I '11 no' wear that wig ! '

" ' Troth, then," said AVatty, quietly picking up the
wig, and wiping it with the sleeve of his coat, 'your

316 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Honour maun just be doin wi't the night, for there 's nae
waul o' wigs in this burn.''

" Ha, ha, ha ! he was an awfu' droll chap that Watty."

But enough of the Doctor and his Grand Uncle, the
Laird. We must now leave the travellers and return
to our fair friend, the pretty Kate, whom we have so
long and so shamefully neglected.

Kate was an only child, and the darling of her father ;
she was consequently a spoilt child — at least so far spoilt
as her naturally amiable disposition would admit of. She
also had the misfortune to lose her mother early in life,
and although every justice had been done to her in the
way of education, although she was highly accomplished,
and her manners in general perfectly ladylike, still there
was wanting that indescribable something, which a gentle
mother's constant care and good example can alone
impart. She was high-minded, generous, affectionate,
and naturally gentle ; but she was wilful, overapt to be
hurried away by the impulse of the moment, and im-
patient of control ; and yet, withal, so open-hearted,
so ready to confess her little faults, and so anxious to
make amends, where she fancied she had given offence,
or hurt the feelings of another, that the most austere
could hardly have found it in their heart to be angry
with her. Having no female companion, she naturally
associated much with her father, accompanying him in
his wildest mountain rambles, and sometimes even fol-
lowing him to the Hunting-field.

She had thus, almost imperceptibly, acquired a ro-
mantic turn of mind, a love of adventure, a promptness
and decision of character, which, however praiseworthy

THE IirXTKRs' BETLKN ; AXD A LITTLE I.OVE-M AKINC SI 7

it might have been in one of the rougher sex, would,
in these refined times, be thought hardly becoming in
so young a Lady, for she was not yet seventeen. But
to counterbalance these little defects in her character,
there was so much good sense, so much tenderness of
heart, and refinement of feeling, that those who knew
her best, learned at last to love her very faults, if faults
they may be called, which were only virtues run wild
for want of proper cultivation.

We give this little sketch of Kate's character in
hopes that our Fair Readers, if they have occasion to
find fault with her, will make some allowance for her
peculiar situation, and do so in the spirit of charity.

It was on a lovely evening, just as the sun had dipped
behind the western mountains, that the pretty Kate sat
at an open window which commanded an extensive view
of the lake and surrounding country ; her usually gay
and animated features were clouded by a look of sad-
ness, and one sparkling drop trembled on the long silken
lashes which shaded her deep blue eye. She appeared
to be watching the fading tints of purple and gold which
streaked the western sky, and her thoughts might well
be supposed to tend Heavenward, were it not that, from
time to time, the vacant look with which she gazed upon
the clouds, was exchanged for an eager and expectant
glance along the dusty road, leading to the pass by
which travellers ascend to the hills from the Mysore
Country.

Had one been curious enough to inquire what her
occupation had been, pre\ious to her falling into her
present reverie, a letter in the hand-wTiting of her Cousin

31S THE OLD FOREST RAXGER.

Charles, which lay open on her lap, might have answered
the question. How would his young heart have bounded
with love and joy, had Charles seen that fair Girl press
the unconscious paper to her lips, and marked the big
tear which dropped from her quivering eyelid, and
blotted his own name ! The letter had arrived that
morning, by a swift-footed messenger, whom Charles
had despatched to announce to his Uncle that the Hunt-
ing-party would return in time for dinner.

Kate had snatched up the precious billet which her
father had thrown carelessly aside ; and after gi%ang the
necessary directions for the accommodation of her Cousin
and his companions, had flown to her own room to read
and re-read the kind messages to her which it contained,
and to watch with eager eyes for the appearance of the
expected Horsemen.

But why in tears, fair Kate ?

Alas ! that morning's post had brought other and
less welcome tidings. The Madras Gazette announced
that, in consequence of a dispute with a neighbouring
Rajah, Charles's regiment was in daily expectation of
an order to take the field, and the same post had brought
a long, misshapen, official letter — a thing hateful ever
to fond mothers and love-sick maids — addressed to her
Cousin, sealed with the royal arms, and having the
ominous words " War Office — O.H.M. Service," printed
in large, unfeeling, Commander-in- Chief-looking charac-
ters on the reverse side. This it was which had dimmed
the lustre of the pretty Kate's laughing eyes. But
why ? we must ask once more. Why ? because Charles
was her Cousin, to be sure ; and because they had now

THE hunters' RFTURN ; AXD A I.TTTI.K I.OVE-MAKIXG. ol 9

lived together for nearly three months — and ridden
together — and walked together among the hills — and
picked wild strawberries — and gathered flowers — and
read poetry — and taken sketches — and sung duets to-
gether. And because Charles was so useful in leading
her pony over all the bad steps which she had to cross
in her mountain rides — and because he tuned her
guitar so much better than any one else — and mended
her pens so well — and copied music so nicely — and held
the skeins of silk so patiently while she wound them off,
and never grumbled though they were ever so much
tangled — and was altogether so good-natured and so
useful — and — and — in short, it was very natural that
she should miss him when he was gone. One is always
sorry to part with one's Cousin, you know ; but it does
not follow, because one is sorry, that one must be in
love with one's Cousin ! Of course not !

It was somewhat in this manner that Kate reasoned
with herself, as she once more kissed the letter, and
dropped one more large tear upon the well-conned page.

But was it possible that Charles could really be in
love with her ! She hoped not, poor fellow, for his own
sake — and, as she mentally expressed this wish, she
felt a flutter at her heart that gave her thoughts the
lie. She knew, indeed, that he pretended to be rather
fond of her, and appeared to be happier in her society
than any where else ; and now that she thought of it,
she remembered that he always coloured a little, and
squeezed her hand a little, when they met after a short
absence — and once, indeed, he had gone as far as to
tell her that he loved her better than any of his other

320 THE OLD FOUEST UANGER.

cousins. But then he was only a boy, who did not
know his own mind ; and besides, even supposing he did
love her a little, he would soon learn to forget her when
he returned to his regiment ; so she need not be un-
happy upon that score.

By the time she had arrived at this comfortable con-
clusion, she found it necessary to have recourse to her
pocket-handkerchief.

The last streak of daylight had faded from the sky,
and our fair warder, unable longer to distinguish ob-
jects at any distance, was about to close the window,
with a heavy sigh of disappointment, when the distant
clatter of horses' hoofs reached her ear, and next mo-
ment her quick eye detected, even amidst the deepening
gloom, the well-known form of her Cousin, as he spurred
ahead of his companions, and urged his snorting horse
up the steep ascent which led to the door. Hastily
wiping the tears from her eyes, she thrust the crumpled
letter into her bosom, and, with a bounding heart,
hurried down stairs to welcome her Cousin.

Whether Charles met with as cordial a reception as
he expected, we know not — nor is it any business of ours
to inquire. But that pawky loon, the Doctor, who had
followed him more closely than he expected or wished,
used frequently afterwards to quiz him on the subject,
remarking, that he ' thought their jungle campaign had
done Maister Charles a hantle o' good, for he wasna
near-hand sae Mate as he used to be wi' his bonnie
Cousin.'

Mansfield also declared that the Young Lady met him
with a flushed cheek and a pouting lip, which led him to

THE hunters'' RETrRN ; AND A LITTLE LOVE-MAKING. 821

suspect that friend Charles had been somewhat less
bashful at meeting than his fair Cousin bargained for.
But, as we said before, this is no business of ours.

" Welcome ! Lads — welcome ! " exclaimed old Lo-
rimer, as he shuffled down stairs in his dressing-gown
and slippers, and extended both hands to each of the
young men in succession. " Bones of my ancestors !
my dear boys, I 'm right glad to see you once more
safe at home. And you. Bully Doctor, what would
life be worth without the Burrah Hakim Sahib? I
have had a fit of the gout, and been as dull as a gib-
cat ever since you left me. Never handled a rifle since
— hardly breathed the air of Heaven. That confounded
fellow. Doctor Henbane, stopped my grog too. The
Devil fly away with him for a pottering quack — eh !
Bully Doctor ? A d — d blunder-headed, quack- salving,
son of a sea-cook! Wouldn't trust him to physic a
sick Bear — eh ? No, I knew you wouldn't. Old Ish-
mail eating his fingers off" for want of something better
to do — dogs tlireatened with melancholy madness — all
\vrong — all at sixes and sevens ; but never mind, we '11
soon set things to rights again, now that I 've got you
back. Give us your hand again, Charley, my boy — give
us your hand, — right glad to see you looking something
like a Jungle Wallah at last. Shaken yourself clear of
the green coat and cords, I see. Found that cords and
top-boots didn't answer in the jungles — eh I Got that
little dash of mother's milk burnt out of your cheeks
too. Mansfield has taught you how to handle a rifle, no
doubt. — Eh, Mansfield ? Well ! well ! we shall see — we
shall see. And you, Bully Doctor, what have you been

322 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

doing 1 How many Anthropophagi have you sent to the
shades, ' wi' a nieve-fou o' grit-shot in their wame,' eh ?
But, hang it, man, what is the matter with you? You
are as stiff in the joints as an old post-horse. Getting
rheumatic in your old age, Doctor — eh? or had a fall
perhaps. Ay, ay — I see, I see — that old brute, Smiler,
came down with you — rolled over you, I '11 be bound —
those shambling brutes always do — told you long ago
how it would be, if you persisted in I'iding such a
Dromedary."

" Whist, Sir ! " exclaimed the Doctor, quite affected
by the recollection of his poor old horse's tragical fate.
" Whist, Sir ! and dinna be misca'in' the poor auld
beast, he 's — "

" Ay, ay ! poor beast — I see, I see," exclaimed the
garrulous old Gentleman, interrupting the Doctor in the
midst of his sentence ; " we '11 hear all about it pre-
sently. But, in the mean time, go and dress, lads, for
dinner is waiting." So saying, and pushing his friends
before him, the old Gentleman, in the joy of his heart,
continued to laugh and talk without allowing any one
else to edge in a word, till he had fairly deposited each
in his own dressing-room.

Old Lorimer was fond of good living as well as of
good sport. He took almost as much interest in his
kitchen and his cellar, as he did in his kennel or his
stables ; and, being a civilian of high rank, his princely
salary enabled him to establish and maintain his charac-
ter as the best dinner-giver in the Madras Presidency.
Next to Ishmail Khan, the black Portuguese cook was
looked upon as the most important personage in the

THE hunters' return ; AND A LITTLE LOVE-MAKING. 323

establishment. Old Lorimer had given directions that
a feast, in his very best style, should be prepared in
honour of the Hunters' return ; and the native artiste
had, on this occasion, exerted himself to produce a
hurrah klianah, worthy of his great talents. His pre-
parations for so small a party, were somewhat too pro-
fuse to be quite in accordance with our modern ideas of
good taste. They were such as might have done credit
to the hospitable board of a Baronial hall ; and yet the
dressing of the dishes argued a degree of culinary skill
on the part of the cook, which would have gained for
him immortal honour even at a modern civic feast.
Fish there was none, because neither the lake nor the
brawling streams of the Neilgherry Hills produce any,
and fish is too perishable a commodity to bear carriage
in such a climate as that of India. But if a profusion of
every other delicacy which the country afforded, could
make amends for this deficiency, the most fastidious
gourmand would have found no just cause of complaint.
Turtle-soup and venison, a turkey from the Conkan,
supported by a burly ham from Yorkshire, wild-boar
chops, and marrow-bones of the great Rusa Deer; a
steaming dish of all-blaze — that inimitable Indian com-
pound of all the most delicate game-birds, curiously
blended with piquant sauce, and the hottest spices — a
variety of exquisite curries and pillaws, and a profusion
of cunningly-devised sweetmeats ; mangoes from Goa ;
grapes and apples from Bangalore ; oranges from the
sunny gardens of Laulpette ; and the rarest preserves
from China; — all appeared in succession, and were
washed down with wine that would have done credit to

y2

324 THE OLD FOREST llANGER.

tlie cup of GanjTiiede. Nor were any of those accesso-
ries wanting, which, although apparently of trifling im-
portance in themselves, are so necessary to the comfort
of those who understand and value real luxury. A
blazing fire — ay ! — a fire, for even within eleven degrees
of the equator, a fire becomes a luxury at the elevation
of eight thousand feet above the level of the sea —
luxurious arm-chairs, snow-white damask, sparkling
crystal, a profusion of wax lights, and a host of well-
trained servants, in scarlet turbans and sashes, and
flowing robes edged with gold lace — all were perfect of
their kind — nothing was forgotten, which the most de-
voted follower of Epicurus could have desired.

Mansfield, indeed, cared little for such luxuries ; but,
even to the most indifferent, there is something pleasing
in the sudden transition from the hardship and fatigue of
a jungle campaign, to the perfect repose and comfort of
so well-regulated an establishment as that of old Lori-
mer. The worthy Doctor, who fully appreciated good
living, and who, after having been subjected, for a time,
to the comparatively hard fare of a Hunter's camp, now
saw realized the most voluptuous dreams of his hungry
imagination, was in Elysium. Charles and his Fair
Cousin were as happy in each other's society, as the un-
welcome intelligence received that morning would permit
them to be. Old Lorimer was happy because he saw
his guests were so ; and, in short, a more cheerful or
contented little party were never met around the hos-
pitable board.

The conversation naturally turned upon the late
adventures of the jungle party, and many a laugh there

THE HUXTEUs' RETURN ; AND A LITTLE LOVE-MAKL\G. 325

was, at the expense of the worthy Doctor, who, in the
I'uhiess of his heart, — and of his stomach, — enjoyed the
fun as much as any one, adding zest to the jokes against
himself, by his quaint sayings and pithy Scotch proverbs.

But, interesting as the conversation proved to those
engaged in it, it would hardly be so to the Reader who
has already followed our friends in their wanderings.
We shall, therefore, pass over the dinner in silence,
merely remarking that Kate, who remained at table
as long as she could, with any degree of propriety,
appeared as deeply interested in the various moving
accidents of jungle warfare as any of the Sportsmen,
and listened, with a double portion of interest, whenever
her Cousin happened to be the hero of the tale.

Charles had no taste for late sitting after dinner, and
the feeling that tliis was, probably, the last opportunity
he might have of enjoying a tete-a-tete with his Fair
Cousin, made him, on the present occasion, doubly
anxious to escape from the carouse which his Uncle's
comfortable arrangement of a horseshoe-table, and chairs
round the fire, appeared to indicate. But, like most
young men of his age, he had an insurmountable dread
of ridicule. Conscious as he was of a fidgety impatience,
and feeling himself unable to join in the conversation,
with a proper degree of interest, he fancied the eyes of
all — but particularly of his pawky friend, the Doctor, of
whose satirical powers he had the utmost dread — were
watching his every movement ; although he might easily
have perceived that the honest Doctor was much too
agreeably employed, in discussing a magnum of claret,
and narrating his own cxpUtits, to waste a thought upon

326 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

him, or his intentions. Charles, therefore, kept his seat,
— although the seducing notes of a guitar, faintly heard
in the next room, made it to him a seat of thorns, — and
passed the bottle manfully, till the second magnum
having been produced, and Mc.Phee having just com-
menced an elaborate description of the Hog-hunt, in
which he had signalized himself by spearing the old
Boar, he availed himself of the opportunity to make a
dash at the door, and succeeded in effecting his escape,
under cover of one of the Doctor's boisterous peals of
laughter.

On entering the drawing-room, Charles found his
Cousin seated on a sofa, and hanging pensively over her
guitar ; she had just concluded a little Spanish air, a
particular favourite of his, and one of those which he
had copied for her ; and his heart beat quicker, as the
thought flashed across his mind that her present pensive
attitude might, in some way, be connected with the
train of ideas which that air was calculated to arouse.
Her back was towards him as he entered. His approach-
ing footstep made Kate start, and turn hastily round,
and a slight blush suffused her cheek, as she disco-
vered the intruder to be her Cousin; — there was an
undried tear, too, upon her cheek ; — but why she blushed,
or why the tear was there, she hardly dared to ask.
And why Charles felt a certain degree of nervous awk-
wardness in her presence he could not exactly tell, for
Kate and he had hitherto been on the most intimate
footing of cousinly affection, — which, by the way. Young
Ladies, is a very dangerous sort of intimacy, and a
slippery footing, to say the best of it ; — yet certain it

THE HUNTERS RETURN ; AND A LITTLE LOVE-MAKING. 327

was that he did feel like an intruder ; and equally true
was it that the conscious blush, and the tell-tale tear,
were but too distinctly visible on the soft cheek of the
blooming Kate.

There is an old Scottish proverb, that " a blate cat
makes a proud mouse," and in this instance it was
verified. Kate's spirits began to rise the moment she
perceived her Cousin's embarrassment ; one glance was
sufficient to convince her that the bashful youth was at
her mercy ; and, with that assurance, her self-possession,
and the love of tormenting, instantly returned. The
timid blush forsook her cheek, and an arch smile played
around the corners of her mouth, as she demurely raised
her eyes, and inquired of Charles, with an air of great
solicitude, whether he did not feel over-fatigued by his
ride.

" Over-fatigued!" exclaimed Charles, looking up in
his turn, and fixing his eyes upon his Cousin's face, with
a look of the most perfect naivete, " what on earth,
Kate, should make you think of my being over-fatigued
this evening, of all evenings in the year I Why, we
only rode some five-and-thirty miles altogether ! "

" I crave your pardon, Gentle Cousin," replied Kate,
bending over her guitar to conceal a smile which this
unsophisticated answer called forth. " I forgot that
you were now no longer a Griffin^ but a seasoned Fo-
rester, whose iron frame knows not fatigue. But your
having left the other Gentlemen so early, added to your
jaded looks, made me feel quite anxious about your
health."

" And cannot my Fair Cousin think of any better

828 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

reason than that of over-fatigue to account for my
leaving the dining-room so early ? " replied Charles, now
beginning to act on the defensive. " Has she so mean
an opinion of her own powers as to suppose that any
one with a soul for music could act the part of the deaf
adder, with such notes as those I heard just now ring-
ing in his ears ? "

" A ver}' prettily-turned compliment, as times go,"
interrupted Kate. " A delicate mode of insinuating,
that your highly accomplished, very musical Cousin, is
a charmer. Divine thought ! But, Master Adder, as
you have taken the trouble of proving to me that you
are not deaf, I must avail myself of the opportunity to
din into your ears, for the hundred and fiftieth time,
that your highly-accomplished and musical Cousin knows
too well the value of such empty compliments, to be in
the slightest degree flattered by them. She is some-
what fastidious in her taste, and if you have nothing
better to offer than the commonplace assurance of her
being a charmer, capable of seducing wild beasts from
their food, you had better not attempt to act the part
of flatterer."

" Flatterer! ah, Kate, you know too well how dear
to me are the witching notes of that sweet voice, to
believe, in your heart, that I am capable of insulting
your good sense by empty flattery."

" Why, this is worse and worse," replied Kate, laugh-
ing. " Flattery upon flattery, almost amounting to
love-making ! Is this all the thanks I get for the in-
terest I have taken in your education -. 1 sent you to
the jungles on purpose to make a man of vou — to gi\e

THE hunters' return ; AND A LITTLE LOVE-MAKING. 329

you an opportunity of performing deeds of valour worthy
of my smiles — I expected to see you return a mighty
Hunter, a terror to wild beasts, a fearless rider of the
' tempest-footed ' Arab. And lo ! — unworthy that thou
art — you come back upon my hands, a very carpet-
knight, a silken-tongued flatterer, a retailer of unmean-
ing compliments, and, I have no doubt, a would-be lady-
killer. Away, away — thou shalt no longer be Knight
of mine."

" Come, come. Fair Cousin," replied Charles, laugh-
ing in his turn, " you are over-hasty in your judgment ;
you forget that love and war go hand in hand — the
boldest Knight is ever the most enthusiastic in praise of
his mistress — and therefore, reasoning from analogy,
the very fact of my having so far improved in the art
of flattery, as to pay compliments which, you yourself
allow, almost amount to love-making, is rather an argu-
ment in favour of my having improved also in the art
of woodcraft, which every one allows to be a species of
warfare. If further proof be wanting of my prowess, I
have grim trophies enough to lay at the feet of my peer-
less Cousin, for which I hope to be rewarded with one
of her most gracious smiles. But a truce, dear Kate,
I pray you, to this bantering, I am haunted by visions
of the many bright hours which have fleeted by so
swiftly — alas, how much too swiftly ! — since first we met
under this happy roof ; and the recollection that this is
the last evening that we shall spend together for many
a long day, hangs like a weight around my heart. When
we shall meet again, Kate, Heaven only knows ! but let
us at least part friends — say that I may still wear your

330 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

colours in my cap, and let me be happy in the belief
that, when we are far apart, the gentle Kate will some-
times bestow a kind thought on her unworthy Cousin."

Kate was about to reply in her former bantering
style, but an imploring glance from her Cousin smote
her heart ; she extended her hand kindly towards him ;
and her bright eye was dimmed with moisture, as she
said in a tone of deeper feeling, than any one would
have expected from her,

" Pardon me, dear Charles, I am a foolish, giddy
girl, and had almost forgotten that unfortunate official
letter, else I should never have thought of tormenting
you ; but with all my faults I am not ungrateful, and it
would be ingratitude on my part, were I to forget the
kind, good-natured Cousin, who for the last three
months has borne so patiently with all the wild caprices
of a foolish girl. It is hard to say when we shall meet
again ; but, meet when we may, it shall always be with
pleasure on my part ; and in the mean time believe, that
if your giddy Cousin Kate is steady in nothing else, she
can be steady in her friendship."

Charles only replied by seizing the proffered hand of
his Cousin, and pressing it to his lips. His heart was
too full to speak.

There was an awkward silence for some minutes,
during which Kate, who had forgotten to withdraw her
hand from the grasp of her Cousin, sat with downcast
eyes, as if absorbed in studying the elaborately-traced
pattern of the Persian rug, on which her fairy foot
reposed.

" I dare say you will think me very foolish, Kate,"

THE HUN'TERS' RETURN ; AXD A LITTLE LOVE-MAKING. 831

said Charles, trying to smile, and hastily dashing a tear
from his eye ; " but the idea of leaving you to-mon-ovv
has quite unmanned me. I did not know, till now, how
hard it would be to part."

Charles perceived that the Httle hand which still re-
posed in his, trembled slightly ; but Kate was not one
of those whose nerves are easily upset, and she instantly
rallied.

" No," replied she, looking up, and speaking with
somewhat of her usual gaiety, " I shall not call you
foolish, nor shall I be prudish enough — or prudent
enough, if you like it better — to deny, that the regret
at parting will be mutual. But at the same time, I
must say, that I think you have allowed your imagina-
tion to run away with you, and are trying to persuade
yourself that parting with a Cousin — a very agTeeable
Cousin we shall allow her to be, for the sake of argu-
ment— is a much more tragical business than you will
find it in reality. You certainly have had the advantage
of being sent into this wicked world some twelve months
before me, but in spite of this advantage, I suspect I
know more of the ways of the world — or the ways of
the heart, at all events — than you do. Listen, then,
with becoming respect, to my prophetic words — You
will leave this to-morrow, vowing that Cousin Kate is
an Angel of light, and, that parting with her has torn
your very heart-strings asunder ; you will eat no dinner,
and will probably amuse yourself the greater part of
the night in writing a sonnet to her eyebrow ; after
three days' march you will recover your appetite, and
although you still allow Cousin Kate to be a very charm-

332 THE OLD FOREST RAXCiER.

ing creature, you will begin to have serious misgivings
as to the possibility of living on one of her smiles for
more than a week ; by the time you have attended two
or three balls at Bangalore, Cousin Kate will have
dwindled down into a really nice girl ! and the last roll
of the big drum as you march to take the field, will
scatter to the four winds of Heaven, any few romantic
ideas, which, in your mind, may still be associated with
the name of Kate."

"Kate! dearest Kate!" exclaimed Charles, clasping
her hand in both of his, and squeezing it passionately
to his heart, " this levity is cruel. Forget you ! By all
that 's bright, I might as soon forget that the sun shines
in heaven ! Forget you ! Oh, Kate, Kate ! if you only
knew how deeply, how indelibly, your image is impressed
upon my very heart's core — if you had ever known what
real love was, you would not talk thus lightly of for-
getting."

Kate had, probably, quite as good an idea of true
love as her impassioned Cousin; but she was gifted
with a little more prudence ; and if she entertained
towards him any feelings of a warmer nature than those
of cousinly affection, she had too much good sense to
intrust her secret to the keeping of a wild lad of
eighteen, whom she had only known for three months,
and whom she might not again see for years. It would
be soon enough to do so, if, at their next meeting, she
found his love had stood the test of time and absence.

" Charles ! Charles ! this is folly," exclaimed the
blushing girl, hastily withdrawing her hand, and rising
from her seat.

THE hunters'' return; and a little love-making. 333

But Charles was not thus to be repulsed ; he sprung
to her side, and again seizing her hand, attempted to
lead her back to her seat.

" Stay, dearest Kate ! " exclaimed he, with passionate
energy, " do not leave me thus — only hear me say how
deeply, how devotedly I love you — only allow me to — "

Whether Charles would have succeeded in urging his
pretty Cousin to listen further to his suit, we know not ;
for at this interesting moment the deep voice of old
Lorimer was heard, humming a snatch of his favourite
Hunting-song, as he crossed the hall on his way from the
dining-room.

Poor Kate, who, in her present agitated state, would
gladly have escaped to the privacy of her own room, but
who had no means of doing so, save by the door at which
her father was about to enter, darted across the room,
and, seating herself at the piano, began to play violently ;
whilst Charles remained standing opposite the sofa,
looking very much like a fool, and heartily wishing his
worthy Uncle and his boon companions at the bottom
of the Red Sea.

" Ah ! you young dog — you gave us the slip, did
you ?" exclaimed the jolly old Gentleman, laying his hand
playfully on the shoulder of his nephew. " You young
hands are sad fellows for shirking the bottle nowadays.
Such proceedings would not have been tolerated in my
time. But perhaps you are in the right after all. Boys
should keep their heads cool — young blood is hot enough
without the stimulant of overmuch wine — and so I dare
say you have been more rationally employed than your
seniors. I see Kate, like a good girl, has been amusing

334 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

you with some of her new waltzes. Does she not play
them with spirit? Bravo, my girl — ^you are excelling
yourself to night ! "

Poor Kate, hardly knowing what she did, was banging
the instrument most unmercifully, and, in her agitation,
making the most egregious mistakes; but fortunately
the old Gentleman had not a very refined ear for music,
and as long as she made plenty of noise, and galloped
over the notes, at what he called a slashing pace, he
fancied her performance perfect.

" Amusing him, quoth he ! " whispered the Doctor,
who, with his usual sagacity, saw at a glance how matters
stood, and could not resist the temptation to indulge in
a little quizzing. " By my troth, Maister Charles, I'm
thinking it 's you hae been amusing the Young Leddy,
else I 'm far mista'en. And ye maun hae frighted her
too, ye wild birkie ; just see to her, poor thing, the awfu'
raised look she has, and the way she 's dingin the very
life out o' that unfortunate piane. Hoot fie, Maister
Charles — and you sae douce like, too. But it 's just the
way o' the world. Learn the cat to the kirn, and she '11
aye be lickin. Let ane o' you smooth-faced blate-lookin
chiels, anes learn the way to blaw in a Lassy's lug, and
deil a muckle peace will you gie her ever after."

Charles, who knew from experience that it was in vain
to bandy words with the Doctor when he was in one of
his quizzical humours, made his escape across the room,
and entered into conversation with his Uncle regarding
his intended departure on the morrow.

*' Going to-morrow, you young dog ! " exclaimed old
Lorimer. " The deuce a bit of it. Why, man, we have

THE hunters' return ; AND A LITTI.K LOVE-MAKING. 335

settled to beat the Orange Valley — the most beautiful
spot on the Neilgherry Hills — not been disturbed this
season — a regular preserve ; as full of game as ever it
can hold. And Kate is to be of the party, too — she is
wild to see this Valley of which she has heard so much,
and I promised long ago to take her the first time we
went there. She will be quite in despair if she has not
Cousin Charles to help her pony over the bad steps — eh,
Kate I is it not so ? "

Charles cast an inquiring glance towards his blushing
Cousin, and felt that one look of encouragement from
her, would almost induce him to turn deserter for her
sake ; but she took no notice of her father's remark ; so
he replied,

" You know, my dear Uncle, nothing would give me
so much pleasure as to make one of your party, but I
have received an order to join immediately, and — ""

"Well, I know you have!" ci'ied the impatient old
Gentleman, "and right sorry I was to hear it. But
what of that ? They expect you to march, I suppose,
and not to travel in a balloon ! "

"Why, yes," replied Charles, "as I am ordered to
carry my bullocks and camp-equipage along with me, I
conclude that they intend me to march by the regular
stages."

'* Well, then, in Heaven's name, start your bullocks
and tents — to-night if you like — but go yourself you
sliall not. I shall have bearers posted for you. You
shall have my palanquin to travel in ; and even sup-
posing your people to have four or five days' start of you,
you would find no difficulty in overtaking them, so you

336 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

need not be afraid to spare a couple of days for the
Orange Valley."

This reasoning was unanswerable. Charles thanked
his Uncle warmly for his kindness, and, with a wonder-
fully good grace, made up his mind to spend two more
days on the Neilgherry Hills.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ORANGE VALLEY.

The Orange Valley ! There is perfume in the very
name ! Our old heart warms, and a delicious languor
steals over our senses, as we recal to mind the silent,
balmy, incense-breathing morn when first we trod the
flowery shades of that enchanting spot. Armed as we
were to the teeth, and bent on slaughter, we felt as if
we profaned the scene by our unhallowed presence. It
seemed to us the abode of peace and innocence ; a place
for young lovers to walk hand in hand, culling the
golden fruit, and twining into bridal wreaths the snow-
white blossoms, which made the very air love-sick with
their fragrance. It was not for such as we — the blood-
stained weather-beaten Hunter.

Such were the thoughts which flitted through our
brain as we wended our solitary way through this
wilderness of sweets. And were it not that at the root
of an orange-tree we discovered the mangled carcass of
a Deer, with the fresh foot-prints of a Tiger leading
therefrom, there is a fearful probability that the Old
Forest Ranger might, in the softness of his heart, have
thrown aside his rifle, betaken himself to a straw-hat
and pastoral crook, fastened bunches of green ribbon to
his knees, and devoted the remainder of his life to

338 THE Or.D rOREST raxger.

piping lovelorn ditties in praise of some cruel, stony-
hearted Shepherdess. But the well-known print of the
Tiger's royal paw recalled our manhood, and rescued us
from the puling life of an Arcadian Shepherd. We
were once more in our element. AVe hugged our trusty
rifle, thanking our good stars that it was no pastoral
crook. And as we loosened our hunting-knife in its
sheath, we felt that we loved the sweet spot all the
better, now that we had a right to explore its beauties
with the free step and roving eye of a Hunter.

It was at the lower end of this beautiful Valley, which
derives its name from the dense jungle of wild orange
and lime-trees with which it is clothed, that the party
from Ootacamund had pitched their tents. It was late
on the previous evening before they had reached their
ground ; the march had been a rough and a weary one ;
and although the Eastern sky was fast brightening, and
the Jungle-cock crowing merrily, there were not as yet
any signs of life within the camp. The canvass walls
hung damp and heavy with the dews of night. The
wearied Horses stood dozing at their pickets, carefully
enveloped in thick woollen clothing, which extended
over the head and ears in the form of a hood. The
Deer, as they descended the hill-side to seek their fra-
grant bed among the orange-groves, stopped to gaze on
the unwonted sight of human habitations ; and the
prowling Tiger, as he returned with sulky steps to his
solitary lair, cast many a wistful glance towards the
baggage bullocks, from which he had been scared during
the night by the smell of fire and the neighbourhood of
man. The cry of the great black Monkey was heard

TTIK ORANGE VALLEY. 339

among the woods like the voice of a laughing Satyr. The
industi'ious Woodpecker, like a sober mechanic, plied his
noisy trade ; and the winking Owl, like a drowsy reveller
returning from his nightly carouse, answered with a hoot
of drunken merriment, as if in derision of his early-rising
neighbour. The hungry Vulture, anticipating the feast
which, before sunset, would be prepared for him by the
hand of man, wheeled about over the camp in AAnde gyra-
tions. The joyous Paroquets — gay-coated, light-hearted
varlets — darted about on rapid wing, screaming with de-
light at the prospect of a new day of thoughtless mer-
riment. All natm-e was in motion, save the sleeping
inmates of the Hunters' camp.

Charles, who, lover-like, had slept but little, was first
afoot ; and his impatient summons speedily called forth
a host of yawning native servants, looking wofully out
of their element in the cold bracing air of the Hills, and
creeping about with a sort of paralytic motion, like
half-dazed flies in the end of autumn. The camp fires,
however, were soon replenished ; and by the time the
Doctor had finished his toilet, his naturally good appe-
tite had been whetted to a pitch of wolf-like keenness
by the savoury steams of curry and ragout which were
wafted to his tent on the wings of the sharp morning
air. In less than an hour the Gentlemen of the party
had discussed a substantial breakfast, and were assem-
bled in front of the mess-tent, smoking their cheroots,
and examining their weapons, to see that all was in good
order for a grand field-day. The horses were accoutred,
the beaters assembled, and old Ishmail already in the
saddle, smiling complacently, and remonstrating with

z 2

840 THF. orn iohrst rwokr.

his impatient hounds — a band of veterans, scarred with
many a glorious wound — which crowded around him,
gazing up in his face, and whining as if to reproach their
venerable leader with his unusual want of activity.

But there was one tent, larger and more commodious
than the others, the curtain of which had not yet been
withdraAvn ; a Horsekeeper, bearing in his hand a silver-
mounted chowrie, was leading up and down, in front of
it, a handsome ambling Atcheen pony, accoutred with a
side-saddle ; and on this tent Charles kept his eyes fixed
with all the devotion of a good Mussulman gazing on the
Tomb of the Prophet.

The patience of old Lorimer was wellnigh exhausted,
and even Mansfield was beginning to get fidgety, when
the canvass door of the tent was at length drawn aside by
a smiling Ayah, and the blooming Kate, in all the pride
of youthful loveliness, came bounding forward to crave
torgiveness of her Father for her unusual want of punc-
tuality. There was a beaming smile of happiness on
her young face, a look of confiding love in her deep blue
eye, which would have melted a far sterner heart than
that of her fond Father. The meditated words of re-
proof died upon his lips, the fro^vn vanished from his brow,
as a cloud upon the hill-side melts before the rising sun.
He kissed his daughter's cheek affectionately, and, calling
her a lazy monkey, desired her to jump upon her pony.

Need it be said with what alacrity Charles hastened
to help his Fair Cousin to her saddle ; how he gently
squeezed her hand in doing so ; how close he rode by
her side, and how often he dismounted in the dirtiest
parts of the road to lead her pony over a difficult pass.

THE ORANGE VALLEY'. 341

or a stony watercourse I No ! The discerning Reader
will imagine all this. And were we to inform him of
the very kindly manner in which all these little attentions
were received by the gentle Kate, we rather think he
would agree with us, that the Doctor was not very far
from the truth, when he remarked to Mansfield that
" Yon loon was garriu' the bit Lassie's heart to thaw
like snaw aff a dyke."

They had nearly reached the head of the valley, when
Kate was roused from a pleasing reverie, by hearing the
distant sound of her Father's bugle calling together the
stragglers ; and she became aware that, during an in-
teresting discussion with her Cousin, they had fallen
nearly half a mile in I'ear of their companions. A con-
scious blush suffused her cheek, and without waiting for
another word, she applied the whip smartly to the flank
of her willing pony, who, not being accustomed to such
rough usage, started off" at a pace which, on so rough a
path as the one they travelled, appeared even to Charles
somewhat venturesome. And so the result proved it to
be ; for, on turning a sharp angle, where the path was
overgrown with slippery grass, the pony's legs flew from
under him, and poor " Douce Davie" — for so he was
called — came heavily to the ground, throwing his rider
against a bank, and nearly rolling over her. Charles
felt his heart sink within him, as he pulled up his horse
with a jerk that nearly broke the jjoor animal's jaw, just
in time to avoid riding over his Cousin. Trembling in
every limb, he threw himself from his horse, and has-
tened to raise his beloved Kate ; but, ere he could do
so, the spirited Girl had regained her feet, seized her

342 THE OLD FOREST RANGEK.

pony's bridle, and was ready to remount. Her cheek
was paler than usual, and Charles felt that her delicate
hand trembled ; but her innate courage had not deserted
her. Her eye was bright as ever; and, although her
bloodless lips showed that she had sustained a severe
shock, she replied with one of her sweetest smiles to the
anxious inquiries of her Cousin, assuring him that she
was not in the slightest degree hurt. Her only anxiety,
after liaving ascertained that " Douce Davie's" knees
\vere uninjured, was to remount as quickly as possible,
and to exact a promise from her Cousin, that he would
not mention the accident to her Father, lest he should
be over anxious about her in future. Charles, more
charmed than ever at her spirited conduct, lifted her
gently into the saddle, and the light-hearted Girl, smiling
her thanks, cantered off as gay and fearless as ever.

" So much for good caste,'''' thought Charles, as he
followed at a hand canter along the narrow path. " How
often have I seen a great hulking Lass, with bones and
sinews like a man, who, after such a fall as this, would
have sat for half an hour, wiping her gooseberry eyes
with a crumpled pocket handkerchief, redolent of apples,
and sobbing forth her unalterable determination never
again to trust her precious person upon horseback !
whilst this delicate creature, all grace, gentleness, and
refinement, exhibits a degree of courage and self-pos-
session worthy of a hero. It is the casie that tells — the
lightning in her blood which prevents it from stagnating
round her heart like the muddy stream which flows in
the veins of a plebeian." (O, fie, JNlr. Charles ! How
can you venture, in this age of Liberty and Equality, to

THE CHANGE VALLEY. 343

insult the Majesty of the people by drawing such odious
conijiarisons ?)

By the time Charles and his Cousin had overtaken the
party, Ishmail, with his dogs and Ijeaters, had already
moved off to the point from whence the beat was to
commence ; and old Lorimer was pointing out to Mans-
field the different passes where the guns ought to be
posted.

" There," said he, addressing Mansfield, and pointing
to the opposite side of the valley, " do you see that rho-
dodendron-tree, covered with scarlet flowers, overhanging
a mass of gray rock I Well, that is the best pass, and
must be defended by the best man. Do you take it;
you will find a Deer-track just below, which will lead you
across the valley. And now to your post — you have
some distance to go, and will hardly reach it before
the hounds are in cover. And how are we to dispose
of you, Young Lady I " continued he, addressing his
Daughter, who at this moment rode up, followed by
Charles.

" I think I had better go a little further up the hill,
Papa," replied Kate, " where I shall be out of your way,
and at the same time have a good view of your proceed-
ings. I have brought my drawing materials, and can
amuse myself very well by taking a sketch of this beau-
tiful valley."

" No, no, dear," replied her Father, smiling ; " pic-
turesque as you and Douce Davie would be on the hill-
side, you would form rather too conspicuous an object
in the landscape, and might prevent the game from
breaking cover. As you have come out in the character

344 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

of a Huntress, you must go through with it, and Ijetake
yourself to a place of concealment as we do."

" What ! am I to shoulder a rifle and defend a
pass, Papa?" asked Kate, with one of her bewitching
smiles.

" Not yet, my pretty Recruit," replied the old Gen-
tleman, patting her shoulder affectionately. " We shall
excuse you from bearing arms this time, in consideration
of your only mounting guard as a supernumerary. But
I shall expect you to be so far a good Shikaree, as to
keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. I shall look
out for a safe place for you as soon as I have posted the
guns."

" If you will put my Fair Cousin under my charge,
Sir," said Charles, eagerly, " I promise to take the
utmost care of her, and shall do my best to teach her
her duty as a Huntress."

*' Well, so be it, boy. Take her with you, and keep
her quiet if you can. But mind, if she spoils your sport,
it is your own fault."

" Will my gentle Cousin deign to accept of my un-
worthy services as her trusty squire!" exclaimed Charles,
springing gaily from his horse, and extending his hands
to assist the Young Lady in dismounting.

The blushing Kate was about to decline her Cousin's
offer on the score of her being troublesome, and in his
way. But the imploring look he gave her, and the
thought that this would be the last day they might spend
together for a long, long time, caused her to relent.
She i)laced her hands in his with a confiding look that
went to his very heart's core, and springing lightly to

THE OUANGE VALLEY. 345

the ground, the young couple walked off, arm-in-arm, to
take possession of the pass assigned to them.

"And so may ye gang linket thegether for the rest
o' ye'r days," thought the kind-hearted Doctor, as he
followed the retiring figures with a look of fond admi-
ration ; " for ye are twa as bonny and as winsome young
things as a man would wish to see in a simmer's day.
And there 's true love atween you, or I 'm far mista'en.

"And where will ye be pleased to put me and Mons
Meg^ Sir," continued the Doctor, turning to old Lorimer,
who was giving directions to have the horses removed
out of sight. " I hae gi'en the auld lass an extra
fingar's depth o' pouther ever since the day she killed
the Tiger ; and she 's that proud, Sir, she lets a crack
would amaist deeve ye, and is fit to fright the life out o'
ony ordinary beast, let abee killin' him. Odd, Sir, it will
just do your heart good to hear auld Meg speak to them.
She 's a Deevle, Sir, when she 's angred ; and rattles the
grit-shot about their lugs in a style that 's just perfectly
amazin' ! "

" I crave your pardon, my worthy friend,"" replied
Lorimer, smiling, " I had almost overlooked you in my
hurry. But I have not forgotten the late exploits of
your trusty fusee, and have retained a pass for you,
where the range being short, I think her good qualities
as a thrower oi grit-shot may be displayed to advantage.
It is not above a hundred yards from hence ; so come
along, and I shall post you before I take up my own
l)Osition."

''And ye 11 no hae nae objections to the grit-shot then
— will ye, Sir ': "

346 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

"No, you incorrigible old poacher, no,"" replied old
Lorimer, laughing outright at the comical look with
which the Doctor accompanied his last question. '* You
may cram what barbarous missiles you like into that
antediluvian-looking weapon of yours ; but only do not
ask me to stand godfather to her atrocities, for it goes
against my conscience."

" Thank you, Sir ; you are a handsome man, and a
good Christian," replied the Doctor, shouldering his
fusee and stepping off, left foot foremost, to the tune of
"Johnnie Cope," a favourite air, which the Doctor
always whistled when he felt himself unusually valiant.

Reader, have you ever been in love? — Start not,
Gentle Lady, at our home question, it is only intended
for the male sex. Have you ever sat by the side of her
who inspired that love, in some romantic spot, far, far
away in the woods, with the summer sun smiling in the
deep blue sky, and green boughs waving over head, and
the clear rill bubbling at your feet, and the distant hills
sleeping in the sunshine ; and listened to the sweet voice
of the tlu'ush and the hum of the wandering bee, and
the drowsy murmur of insects, intoxicated with the
perfume of flowers ? And have you not at such a mo-
ment experienced a delightful, dreamy, indescribable
sensation of happiness, not of this earth — a feeling
unknown to the inmates of the glittering ball-room,
or the sumptuous banquet-hall — a silent communion of
soul, expressed by looks, far more eloquent than words
— a twining together of the heart-strings — a charm — a
spell — a something which you feel that a single word
would dissipate 'i If so, you will be able to imagine the

THE ORANGE VALLEY. 347

feelings of Charles as he sat by the side of his beloved
Kate, on a sloping bank of velvet turf, sufficiently far
up on the hill-side to command an extensive view of the
beautiful valley which lay extended at their feet.

The position occupied by Charles and his Cousin was
backed by a perpendicular rock of considerable height,
overgrown M'ith moss and creeping shrubs. An orange-
tree of goodly size stretched forth its fragrant boughs
to shelter them from the heat of the sun, and all around
them sprung up a thicket of beautiful flowering shrubs,
forming a screen sufficient to conceal them ; but, at the
same time, affording a clear view, through the openings
among the branches, of any animal which might pass
within range of their post, as well as of the general
scenery of the valley.

Charles was sitting with one rifle resting across his
knees, and another lying by his side, now gazing into the
expressive blue eyes of his Cousin, and now casting a
rapid glance towards the head of the valley, from whence
he expected the hounds and beaters to approach ; for,
much as he was in love, he did not forget his late train-
ing in the jungles, which had taught him to make good
use of his eyes and ears, even when his thoughts were
most abstracted.

Kate, with her drawing implements lying idly beside
her, leant her back against the stem of the orange-tree,
and fixed her eyes upon the beautiful scene before her,
as if absorbed in deep and pleasing thought.

It was one of those warm, still, dreamy days, when
Nature appears to slumber in the sunshine. No sound
was heard save the dull, mysterious roar of a distant

o48 THE OLU lOREsT RANGER.

waterfall, far up among the wild hills at the head of the
valley: not a leaf stirred — no living thing was seen.
There was something almost awful in the deep silence,
and yet it harmonized well with the feelings of the young
lovers, soothed as they were into a state of pleasing
languor, by the relaxing heat, and the overpowering
perfume of orange-blossom, with which the air was
loaded. Their hearts were full to ovei-flowing, and they
sat for some time in thoughtful silence, before either
could find words to express the feelings of admiration
and happiness which almost overwhelmed them.

Kate was the first to break silence.

" Oh ! what a beautiful world is this I" she exclaimed,
clasping her hands together, and turning towards
Charles, with her expressive eyes swimming in moisture.
" How grateful ought we to be when we think that this
glorious sun, this perfumed air, those smiling woods, and
purple mountains, have all been given to us, with health
and strength to enjoy them ; and yet, in the bustle of
the world, how seldom do we put the proper value upon
these manifold sources of happiness and innocent enjoy-
ment which are open to all mankind. Oh ! how sin-
cerely do I pity those whose hearts have become callous
to the beautiful works of Nature ! ""

" It is indeed a fair world, dearest Kate," replied
Charles, with much feeling. " I have always been a
lover of Nature ; but never have I so fully appreciated
her beauties as I do at this moment. I feel as if I
viewed every object in a new light and through a happier
medium than I have ever done before. Are you philo-
sopher enough, dear Kate, to tell me the reason why I "

TIIK ORAXC.E VAI.LFY. 349

Kate's heart whispered to her the true reason, and
although a downcast eye and bkishing cheek formed the
only answer to her Cousin's question, they spoke more
eloquently than words could have done.

"It is because we were never intended to enjoy hap-
piness alone," whispered Charles, laying his hand gently
upon that of his blushing Cousin ; " Say, dearest Kate,
is it not so ;"

Kate felt the conscious blood moimting with double
rapidity to her face and neck, at this rather home
question ; but she was spared the embarrassment of
replying to it, for, before she could do so, the first joyous
shout of the beaters, as they dashed into cover, arose
from among the hills at the head of the valley ; and, for
the first time, it grated harshly on the ears of Charles.

However, the spell was broken. That shout reminded
Charles that the Orange Valley, with all its beauty and
fragrance, was no longer a place for whispering lovers ;
it had now become an arena, in which the most formi-
dable beasts of the forest might be encountered, and
where all the energies of man must be called into
action. He felt like a sentinel who had been caught
napping on his post ; and hastily snatching up his rifle,
he placed himself so as to command a better view of the
open ground in front of his position.

Even the gentle Kate became excited as the hounds
now opened on the scent, and the deep-toned pack came
sweeping down the valley, their voices now muffled by
intervening woods, and again rising full and clear upon
the still air.

Nearer and nearer came the yelling pack, their onward

35 0 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

course marked by the flights of peacock and jungle-
fowl, which rose before them like pheasants in a pre-
serve ; and as they approached, it became evident that
the game, whatever it might be, was running directly
towards the pass which Charles commanded.

It was only now that Charles, whose thoughts had
been somewhat bewildered, bethought himself of the
danger to which Kate might be exposed, in the event of
the animal, which was now on foot, proving to be a beast
of prey.

There was no time to be lost ; so, laying down his
rifle, he seized the astonished Girl by the arm, and
stammering out an apology for his apparent rudeness,
hurried her, with very little ceremony, up a rugged path,
leading to the top of the rock which backed their
position ; and having there bestowed her in a place
which appeared free from danger, and cautioned her to
keep as quiet as possible, he hastened back to his post.

Charles had hardly regained his pass, when a crashing
sound was heard, as if some heavy animal was forcing its
way through the tangled brushwood, about three hun-
dred yards on one side of his position.

This was the moment of real excitement ; for who
could tell, unless he were better skilled in the art of
woodcraft than was our friend Charles, what animal he
might be called upon to encounter? It might only be
a Deer, or a Wild Hog ; but it might with equal pro-
bability be a Bear, a Panther, or a Tiger.

Whatever it might be, Charles was prepared to give
it a warm reception. Cocking both barrels of his rifle,
he crouched more closely behind his leafy screen, and

THE ORANGE VAI.t.EY, 351

waited with breathless anxiety for the moment when
the animal should break cover. Again the crashing
sound was heard, followed by a dead pause — then a loud
snort — a furious rush — a bound — and a noble Stag,
followed by three Hinds, burst through the opposing
brushwood — 'halted for one moment — gazed wildly round
— snuffed the air — laid back their large ears to catch the
yell of their pursuers — and uttering a wild snort, started
off again at the top of their speed towards the hills.

Charles, waiting till the Stag was directly abreast of
his position, and not more than twenty yards from him,
raised his rifle, and fired. He had already measured
with longing eyes the wide-spreading antlers of the noble
brute, little inferior in size to an American Moose-deer,
and felt confident that this shot must make the prize his
own. But whether it was that his hand shook from over
anxiety, or whether the consciousness that his Fair
Cousin was watching his proceedings, had any thing to
do with it, we know not : yet certain it is, that the Stag,
instead of falling, only tossed his head disdainfully, and
making a higher bound than usual, pursued his course
with unabated speed.

Kate, who had watched the effect of the shot with
trembling anxiety, felt her heart relieved as she saw the
beautiful creatures bounding away unharmed ; her en-
thusiasm completely got the better of her ; and starting
to her feet with an exclamation of joy, she waved her
pocket-handkerchief as if to cheer on the graceful
fugitives.

Charles, mad with vexation, discharged a second and
a third shot in rapid succession ; but all with the san\e

352 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

result. The bullets rebounding from the hard ground,
went spinning and whistling through the woods, as if
in derision of the unsteady hand that fired them ; and
the Deer, after a few more bounds, were lost to view
behind the shoulder of the hill.

It has a plaguy unpleasant twang with it. Gentle
Reader, that same whistle of a stray bullet, whether
it be discharged from your own weapon, or from that of a
short-sighted friend, who happens to fire in your direction.

" So much for showing off ! " thought Charles, as he
dropped the discharged weapon into the hollow of his
arm, with a blank look of disappointment.

" You have not hurt any of them — have you ? " asked
Kate, peeping over the edge of the rock on which she
was perched.

" No," replied Charles, in no very cheerful tone ;
" not a hair ruffled."

" Oh ! I am so glad !" exclaimed Kate, joyfully. " It
would have made me quite miserable to have seen you
kill one of those beautiful creatures."

" Thank you, my gentle Cousin," replied Charles,
smiling. " But I doubt whether your Father will be
equally well pleased with my performance, particularly
if I allow the hounds to get away after the Deer. Ha !
here they come ! I must manage to stop them, whatever
happens, else I shall get a proper roasting.""

So saying, he snatched up a whip which he had for-
tunately kept by him — and which, by the way, he was
just in the humour to use with effect — and rushing in
front of the hounds, he succeeded, after some difficulty,
in flogging them off the scent.

THE OUAXOE VALLEY. o-lS

This accomplished, and the sulky pack having been
recalled by the sound of Ishmail's bugle, Charles felt
that he could now face his Uncle with a better grace,
and returned to his post, determined, if possible, to
acquit himself better on the next occasion.

He had not to wait long before the hounds were again
in full cry, and running in different directions — the pack
having divided in pursuit of the different sorts of game
with which the valley abounded. The rifles, too, now
began to play their parts, and several shots were heard
in the direction of INIansfield's pass, as well as that of old
Lorimer. The beaters, encouraged by the sound of fire-
arms, and the prospect' of a plentiful supply of venison,
redoubled their shouts. The hounds bayed more sa-
vagely, yells of pain occasionally mingling with their deep-
toned notes; and the smiling groves of that beautiful
valley rung with wild discordant sounds, which ill ac-
corded with the character of its scenery.

To Kate, whose feelings had been wound up to the
highest pitch of romantic sensibility, the sudden tran-
sition from sentimental solitude to this scene of rude
excitement was painful ; and appeared to her like a pro-
fanation of the beautiful spot.

Charles, on the contrary, felt his blood warm as the
uproar increased — he longed for an opportunity of wiping
out his late disgrace in the blood of some formidable
antagonist, worthy of his overflowing valour; and, for
the time being, all recollection of his late senti-
mental fit was lost among thick-coming fancies of
desperate encounters with grizzly Bears and brindled
Tigers,

A A

354 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

O man, hard-hearted man ! how different is thy love
from the love of woman !

But what has become of the Doctor all this time ? we
have not heard the voice of old Meg ; he must surely
have faUen asleep, or smoked himself into a fit of apo-
plexy. So thought Charles, as the storm of men and
dogs swept down the valley in the direction of the
Doctor's pass.

" Ha ! there she goes at last — there is no mistaking
her voice ! " exclaimed Charles, as a report was heard,
like that of a six-pounder, followed by a savage roar, and
desperate shouts for aid.

Now then, Master Charles ! now is the time to dis-
tinguish yourself ! To the rescue — to the rescue, if you
be a man !

Charles was noways backward. Starting at once to
his feet, and calling to his Cousin not on any account to
leave her place of safety, he sent before him a shout of
encouragement to the poor Doctor, who was evidently in
urgent need of assistance, and rushed towards the spot
from whence the cries proceeded, bounding over the
rocks and bushes like a young Stag.

On reaching the Doctor's pass, Charles found poor
Mc.Phee very much out of breath, and in a profuse per-
spiration— his hat off, his clothes torn and soiled with
dust, and in his hand the shattered remains of his fa-
vourite fusee, the stock of which was broken, and the
barrel sadly bruised and dented.

" May the De'el pick your banes, and make whistles
o' them for his bairns, ye old black-avized besom,"
muttered the Doctor between his clenched teeth, as

THE ORAXOK VALLEY. 355

he carefully examined the different fragments of his
sorely injured weapon.

" Hollo, Doctor ! who are you maledizing so fearfully?"
exclaimed Charles, unable to contain his laughter, on
beholding the mingled expression of anger and distress
depicted on the poor Doctor's long, sallow face.

" She 's just perfectly ruined," gi'owled the Doctor,
continuing his soliloquy, without taking any notice of
Charles ; " the stock in twa halves, the barrel cloured
as flat as my loof, and the lock — De'el be in her skin —
the lock 's gone a'thegither ! ! Hech, Sirs ! — poor auld
Meg ! — I 'm fairly by wi' you at last : " here he dropped
the remains of his fusee, and shook his head mourn-
fully. " Ye '11 never mair fire a nieve-fou o' grit-shot
or take the life o' man or beast."

" What on earth has happened to you, Doctor ? "
exclaimed Charles, still laughing immoderately. " You
look as if you had seen the Bro\Miie."

" Brownie, indeed ! By my troth, lad, gin Brownie
be as fashions a neighbour as the old Deevle that came
my gate, it maun be ill biding in a'e house wi' him. See
to the way she left my firelock, the mislear'd limmer,
no' to mention the riving o' my coat, and a terrible ill-
fa'urd hole in my breeks. See to that, Maister Charles !
What way can I appear before Miss Kate, or any other
Leddy, sicken a daft-like figure ? "

So saying, the Doctor faced round, and exhibited a
terrible rent in his nether garment, which the short
round jacket which he wore for the sake of coolness,
rendered painfully conspicuous.

There was something so irresistibly ludicrous in the

A A 2

SoG TlfR OLD FOHKST RANGER.

poor Doctor's appearance, that Charles nearly rolled
upon the ground with laughter ; and so infectious was
his mirth, that the good-humoured Doctor, who had
a strong sense of the ridiculous, and never could resist
a joke, even at his own expense, at length burst forth
into one of his most hearty guffaws.

" But, my dear Doctor," gasped Charles, as soon as
he recovered breath enough to articulate, " how did this
happen ? Who or what has maltreated you in this
abominable manner?"

" There is ane o' her kind, at ony rate," replied the
Doctor, pointing with rather a triumphant air to the
carcass of a young Bear, not much larger than a terrier
dog, which lay at some distance among the bushes. " I
hae rid the world o' ane o' the mischancie Deevles ; and
gin it be as ill-natured a craiter as the mither o't, it
was a weel done turn."

" Ha ! a young Bear," exclaimed Charles, turning
over the animal with his foot, " and a terrible dose of
grit-shot you have given him, poor thing ; he is nearly
blown to pieces. But what has become of the old
one ! "

" She may hae gane to Bamf for a' I ken or care,"
replied the Doctor, " and glad enough I was to get quit
o' her. But wherever she be, I 'm thinkin' she 's gotten
a taste o' the grit-shot that will keep her skin hot
enough for a day or two — and Deevle mend her."

" Wounded, is she ? How did that happen? I heard
but one shot."

" I '11 tell you that, lad," replied the Doctor, deli-
berately tapping the lid of his snuff-mull. " You .see.

THE OKANGE VALLEY. 357

I was just sitting at my pass, and taking a blow o' my
cheroot, and basking in the sun, and winking for a'
the world like an auld ram- cat in the ingle nook; and
what wi' the heat, and the bonny smell o' the orange
flowers, and a' that, I was just in a kind o' waking
dream like, and was beginning to think o' some o' my
old sweethearts, and the bonny summer days when I
hae set aside them in the sweet birk woods o' cannie
Scotland, and — "

'* In short, you were half asleep. Doctor," interrupted
Charles.

" Asleep, say you ! — and me thinking o' my sweet-
hearts ! O Maister Charles ! Maister Charles ! I
wonder to hear you say the like, and your bonny Cousin,
Miss Kate, sae near at hand;" here the Doctor took
a huge pinch of snuff, and fixed his eyes upon the face
of his young companion, with one of his most pene-
trating looks.

" Well, well," replied Charles, becoming rather fidgety
at the turn the conversation had taken, " we shall not
discuss that point at present. But tell me, I pray you,
about the Bear, for, if she be wounded, it is high time
we were upon her trail."

" That 's true," replied the Doctor. " Well, as I wa'
saying, I was sitting at my pass, and thinking o"" my old
sweethearts, and the like o' that, when a' at ance I
heard a terrible stramash among the bushes, and then
a wild growl, just at my very lug. Up I jumps, wi' the
fusee in my hand, and my heart in my mouth, and out
came a muckle brute o' a Bear, wi' that wee towsie tyke
sitting on her back, as conceity as you please, and

358 THE OLD FOREST BANGER.

haudin' the grip, like grim death, wi' his claws. The
auld Bear, as soon as she seed me, she up wi her birse,
and shows her muckle white teeth, and gims at me like
a perfect cannibal ; and the wee Deevle he sets up his
birse too, and snaps his bit teeth, and tries to girn like
the mither o't, wi' a queer auld-farrant look that amaist
gart me laugh ; although, to tell the blessed truth,
Maister Charles, I thought it nae laughing sport. Well,
there was naething else for it, so I lets drive at them wi'
the grit-shot, thinking to ding them baith at ance. I
killed the sma' ane dead enough ; but the auld one, she
lets a roar that amaist deeved me, and at me she comes
like a Tigre. I was that frighted, Sir, I didna ken what
to do ; but in despair I just held out the muzzle o^ the
fusee to fend her off, and I believe that saved my life ;
for she gi'ipped it atween her teeth, dang me o'er on the
braid o' my back, and off she set, trailing me through
the bushes like a tethered stick ; for some way or other
I never let go the grip I had o' the stock. I was that
stupified I hae nae recollection what happened after this,
till I found mysel' sticking in the middle o' a brier bush,
wi' my breeks rived the way you see, and poor old Meg
smashed in bits — De'el be in her skin that did it."

" A most unpleasant adventure, truly," replied Charles,
" and quite enough to make a Saint swear. But come,
Doctor. Faint heart never won fair lady, or black bear
either ; so let us to work, and see if we cannot follow her
up, for I perceive the hounds are not upon her track ;
she leaves a pretty conspicuous trail ; and see, here
is blood upon it ! Hurrah ! we shall make her pay for
this yet!"

THE OKANGE VALLEY. 359

So saying, Charles, who durmg his late excursion in
the jungle had acquired considerable skill in the art of
following a trail, started in pursuit of the wounded Bear.
The Doctor, with no great stomach for the sport, but
fearing to be left alone in his present unarmed state,
followed close to his heels, brandishing the barrel of
his fusee, the only weapon which now remained to
Iiim.

They soon cleared the jungle, and found the track
running along the side of the hiU, in the direction of the
rock upon which Kate had been left.

" I fear she is not so badly wounded as all this blood
would lead one to suppose," remarked Charles, " else
she would hardly venture to face the open country in
this manner."

"She has na' tried to lift the brae, however," replied
the Doctor, "although there's strong cover on the
other side, that she would be keen enough to get to, if
she were fit. I 'm thinking she 's no' far afore us, and
that we "'11 find her in the first wee bit burn. They aye
make for the water when they 're sore hurted."

" Well, keep your eyes about you," answered Charles,
" whilst I follow the track, and try if you can view
her. Ha ! what was that ? By Heaven ! it is Kate's
voice !" exclaimed he, as he cast his eyes towards the
rock upon which he had left his Cousin, and caught the
graceful outline of her figure against the sky, standing
in the attitude of an inspired Priestess, and waving a
handerchief, as if beckoning them towards her.

" I canna hear what she says," remarked the Doctor,
who had been holding his hands on each side of his head,

360 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

to catch the sound more distinctly, " but I 'm thinkin'
she sees something.'"

. "Forward! forward for your life !" shouted Charles,
making a spring like a Tiger, as his quick eye detected
the shaggy form of the Bear, slowly emerging from a
small watercourse, within little more than two hundred
yards of the rock upon which his Cousin stood. " She
is making for the rock ! "

This was indeed the case. The wounded Bear, unable
or unwilling to face the extent of open ground which lay
between her and the next wooded ravine, appeared bent
upon dislodging Kate, and occupying her position, and
the great start she had of her pursuers, rendered it but
too probable that she would succeed in doing so. It
now became a question of speed between Charles and the
wounded Bear, and desperate were the efforts he made
to overtake her. But although the animal was so far
crippled by her wounds as to enable Charles to gain upon
her, yet the farther they advanced, the more evident it
became, that in spite of his utmost exertions, the Bear
must reach the goal, not only before him, but almost
before he was within shot of her.

In the mean time, Kate, unconscious of the danger
which threatened her, was watching the chase with
intense interest, and cheering on her Cousin in pursuit
of the flying foe.

Charles felt a sickness at his heart, as the fearful idea
flashed across his mind, that the sweet voice which now
urged him forward, might, a few minutes hence, be
gasping forth its last convulsive sob in the strangling
embrace of the enraged Bear. The very precaution he

THE ORANGE VALLEY. 361

had taken to insure the safety of his beloved Cousin,
would now prove her destruction. He had placed her
upon the top of a high rock, to which there was but one
mode of access, a narrow and intricate path, among the
bushes; it was but too probable that this stronghold
was well known to the savage brute of wliich he was in
chase ; and the pass once occupied by her, all means of
retreat were cut off to poor Kate. There was madness
in the thought. Charles ground his teeth together in
agony ; and although the violence of his previous exertion
had already caused the blood to gush from his nostrils,
he still attempted to press forward with increased speed.

But the case was now hopeless. The Bear was
already within ten yards of the foot of the rock, whilst
the distance between her and her pursuer was still
upwards of a hundred. A well directed rifle bullet now
appeared to Charles the only thing that could save the
life of his unconscious Cousin ; and Oh ! how fervently
did he pray, poor fellow, that hand and eye might prove
time in this, his hour of need. Halting at once, and
dropping on one knee, he raie d the rifle to his shoulder,
took a long aiui, and fired. Is she down? Alas, no !
Who could direct a rifle truly after such a run I The
hand which supported the long barrel trembled like an
aspen leaf, the bullet flew far wide of the mark ; and, ere
the second barrel could be discharged, the Bear had dis-
appeared among the thick brushwood which covered the
side of the rock.

"O Kate! my beloved Kate!" exclaimed Charles,
starting to his feet, and again rushing \\ildly forward,
without waiting to reload.

362 THE OLD FOREST HANGER.

By the time Charles reached the foot of the rock, the
Bear had already accomplished more than two thirds of
the ascent ; and in a few seconds more, poor Kate, who
was still unconscious of danger, would have been clasped
in the deadly embrace of her paws.

"What is the matter, dear Charles?" exclaimed
Kate, who having rushed eagerly towards the edge of
the rock on the approach of her Cousin, now started
back in horror on beholding his exhausted appearance,
and the blood which, flowing from his nostrils, had dyed
his clothes in front of a crimson colour.

" Stand back, dearest, stand back ! Your life depends
upon it ! " exclaimed Charles, keeping his eye steadily
fixed upon the Bear, and slowly raising his rifle.

Kate, terrified by the wild energy of her Cousin's
manner, shrunk back without uttering a word, and the
next moment the sharp report of the rifle was answered by
a savage roar, which proved that the shot had taken effect.

The wounded Bear now turned open-mouthed upon
her pursuer, and rushed furiously down the steep path-
way to attack him.

Charles, who felt a load removed from his heart now
that the rage of the animal was turned against himself,
threw aside his rifle — both barrels of which had been
discharged — drew his hunting knife, and coolly awaited
the attack.

So furious was the onset of the Bear, that although
Charles drove his hunting-knife up to the hilt in her
body, he was borne to the ground with sufficient violence
to be completely stunned, and deprived of the power
of motion.

THE ORANGE VALLEY. 363

Oh ! how bitterly did poor Kate now repent of having
taken part in a sport so ill suited to her sex ! and how
solemnly did she vow never more to be guilty of such
folly, when she beheld her gallant Cousin, after having
risked his life in her defence, lying helpless and insen-
sible beneath the enormous weight of the dying Bear,
who, in her last efforts at revenge, was savagely gnaw-
ing and lacerating liis unresisting arm !

Kate's first impulse was to scream loudly for as-
sistance ; her next — brave girl — to rush wildly down
the rugged path, in hopes that even her feeble arm
might be of some avail in rescuing her Cousin.

But, fortunately for poor Charles, there was more
efl&cient, though not more willing aid at hand. The
Doctor, who had been left far behind in the chase,
now came rushing up, panting most furiously, and
flourishing round his head the heavy barrel of his
fusee.

"Hurrah! there's a death-blow in auld Meg yet!"
exclaimed he, heaving up his uncouth weapon to the full
extent of his muscular arms, and bringing it down upon
the head of the Bear, with a crash that made the eyes
start from their sockets, and sent her rolling over on her
back, with her stiffened limbs quivering in the air.

" Hech ! tak' ye that, ye Deevle's buckie," muttered
the Doctor, as he repeated the blow, to make the work
of death more certain, at the same time inhaling his
breath with a short energetic Peek, *' and weel hae ye
earned it, for by my troth ye hae gane near to kill as
bonny a lad as ever stepped in shoe-leather.

" But there 's life in him yet, and sma' thanks to you

364 THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

for it," continued the Doctor, as he raised the head of
his young companion, and found that he still breathed.

" Is he alive?" exclaimed Kate, who had stood gazing
on this scene of blood, pale and motionless as a marble
statue.

" Indeed is he, Miss Kate, bless your bonny face,
and like to do well enough, after I hae ta'en a drap
blood fra' him,"" replied the Doctor, fumbling about in
his numerous pockets to find his lancet.

" Thank Heaven !" exclaimed the poor Girl, fervently,
" Thank Heaven ! " and clasping her hands together, she
sank down, fainting, by the side of her Cousin.

CHAPTER XIX.
A PARTING WORD FROM THE OLD FOREST RANGER.

Lady, thou art weary of our savage tales — we can see
it in thy languid eye, although thy kind heart will not
permit thee to hurt the feelings of the poor Old Forester,
by telling him to withdraw. We are becoming garru-
lous in our old age, and although we have endeavoured
to render our descriptions of jungle-warfare more fit for
Lady's bower, by introducing some scraps of sentiment,
and feeble sketches of the glowing Eastern scenery which
many long years ago made an indelible impression on
our youthful mind, yet we feel that our subject is, at
best, one but ill adapted to a Lady's ear.

Our conscience tells us that we have already tres-
passed over-long on thy patience, and we blush to think
of the many tales of blood and strife in which we must
.have done violence to thy gentle nature. But we are
not ungrateful. Lady. — We fully appreciate thy con-
descension in having so long borne with the idle clovers
of a garrulous old man. — We thank thee from our
inmost heart ; and if thou wilt only grant us thy indul-
gence for a few minutes longer, whilst we dispose of
poor Kate and her Cousin Charles, whom we left in
rather a sorrj- plight, we shall, with thy gracious per-
mission, make our respectful obeisance, and retire.

366 A PARTING WORD FORM

A little cold water soon restored Kate ; but it was very
different with poor Charles. He had fallen with the
back of his head against a stone, and had received so
severe a contusion, that in spite of copious bleeding and
cold applications, it was many hours before he returned
to consciousness, and then only to fall into a raging
fever, which was not a little augmented by the se-
vere wounds he had received from the teeth of the
Bear.

This untoward accident brought the day's sport to an
abrupt conclusion ; and next morning the party started
on their return to Ootacamund.

Charles travelled in his Cousin's palanquin, whilst she
rode by his side, watching him with the utmost assi-
duity, and stopping the bearers from time to time, to
moisten his parched lips, or to arrange, with gentle care,
the pillows which supported his aching head.

The unfortunate termination of their expedition had
cast a gloom over the spirits of the party, and their
journey was dull enough — neither did any thing occur,
worthy of notice, with the exception of one little inci-
dent, which, being illustrative of the manners of those
interesting people, the Todahs, we may here mention.

Kate had desired the bearers to halt near a Todah
village, to procure a draught of cold water for her
Cousin — this was speedily furnished by the kind-hearted
creatures in one of their cleanest vessels ; and whilst
Charles greedily swallowed the refreshing beverage, the
women and children crowded round the travellers,
laughing and talking in their usual frank, goodhumoured
manner, examining with great marks of astonishment

THE OLD FOREST RANGER. 367

the various parts of Kate's dress, and asking innume-
rable questions, which Kate, being ignorant of their lan-
guage, could only reply to by smiling kindly, and patting
the heads of the children. But there was one woman, a
pretty, interesting young creature, apparently not more
than eighteen or nineteen years of age, who took no
share in the noisy conversation, but sat apart from the
others, wrapped up in the ample folds of her mantle, and
watching, with a look of melancholy interest, the childish
gambols of a fine boy of about two years of age, who
frisked about the green, now gazing in wonder at the
strangers, and now flymg, half in fear and half in play,
to the protection of his mother's arms.

It was evident, from her appearance, that she was
soon again to become a mother; and there was alto-
gether something so interesting in her appearance, that
Kate, whose heart was ever ready to sympathize in the
grief of others, begged of one of the bearers to inquire
why it was she looked so sad.

On being addressed, the poor Girl raised her large
expressive eyes from the ground, and fixed them upon
the face of the speaker with a vacant stare, as if her
thoughts had been so much abstracted, that she did not
at first understand the import of the question ; but on
its being repeated in rather an impatient tone, she
slowly withdrew the folds of her mantle, pointed to her
hair, which, instead of flowing in ringlets like that of
her companions, was cropped close to her head, and
clasping her child to her breast, burst into a passionate
flood of tears.

Kate did all in her power to soothe and comfort her ;

508 A VARTIXC; WORD FROM

but, even with the assistance of some little trinkets
which she gave her, it was some time before she was
suflBciently composed to express her thanks.

It was only now that Kate became aware of the
custom which prevails among the Todah women of
cutting off their hair as a token of grief, on the occa-
sion of their becoming widows.

This young creature had lost her favourite husband,
only a few days before, which accounted for her sudden
burst of grief, and the expressive manner in which she
pointed to her shorn locks as an explanation of it.

You will smile, gentle Reader, at the idea of a poor
savage woman mourning so deeply for the death of a
favourite husband. But they have warm hearts, these
Todah women, and a natural refinement of feeling, in
spite of their barbarous custom of indulging in a
plurality of husbands.

The injuries which Charles had received confined him
to his room for some weeks after his return to Ootaca-
niund ; and instead of joining his regiment at the time
he purposed, he was obliged to forward a sick certificate
signed by Doctor Mc.Phee.

This respite he would, at any other time, have con-
sidered cheaply purchased, even at the expense of his
wounds ; but now that his regiment was in daily expecta-
tion of an order to take the field against the Maharattahs,
the ardent spirit of the young Soldier could ill brook
the confinement of a sick-room ; and even the pleasure
he derived from the constant society of his beloved
Cousin, hardly enabled him to submit to it ^vith be-
coming patience.

THE OLD FOREST RANGER. S69

Every one knows how patiently, how devotedly, how
like a " ministering Angel," a fond woman watches by
the sick-bed of one she loves — and we can no longer
conceal the truth, that Kate's grateful heart returned
her Cousin's love, perhaps with interest. We shall there-
fore beg of the sagacious Reader to imagine the many
long, weary, sleepless nights which poor Kate passed
during the time her Cousin remained in a state of fever
and delirium ; how, when he became convalescent, she
cheered and soothed him with the witching notes of her
voice and her guitar ; how on such occasions our friend
Charles's protestations of eternal gratitude to his Fair
Cousin, gi-adually warmed into protestations of eternal
love ; how the gentle Kate could not find it in her
heart to hurt the feelings of him who had all but sacri-
ficed his life in her defence, and who even now'remained
feeble and enervated from the effects of his womids, by
frowning on his suit : and, in short, how Master Charles
prosecuted his wooing with such good success, that the
wounds in his heart were healed before the wounds in
his body.

The Doctor's prophecy was fulfilled. " Charles had
gart the bit Lassy's heart to melt like snaw off" a dyke ;"
and even before the day of his departure, poor Kate
was constrained to own that Cousin Charles was all the
world to her.

So far all was well. But there still remained another
outwork to be carried, in the person of Uncle Lorimer ;
and well Charles knew that he nmst expect to find the
Old Gentleman's heart somewhat more strongly fortified
than that of his fair Daughter, However, the experi-

B H

370 A PAUTIXG WORD FROM

ment must be tried ; so one fine morning, after he had
talked the Governor into good humour, by praising his
hoxmds and admiring his rifles, Charles ventured to
broach the subject next his heart ; and with very little
circumlocution — for he knew that to be a thing which
his Uncle detested above all others — he somewhat
blimtly craved the honour of being promoted from the
rank of Nephew to that of Son-in-law.

Old Lorimer, who was at the moment handling one
of his favourite rifles, and giving Charles a minute
account of some extraordinary shot he had made with
it, suddenly dropped the butt-end of the weapon to the
ground, as if he had been electrified, faced round, stared
Charles full in the face, and finally burst into an immo-
derate fit of laughter,

" Marry my Kate ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! Bones of my an-
cestors, but this is a mad world ! Marry my Kate
indeed ! Why she is hardly out of the nursery — you
have not quite shaken yourself clear of your mother's
apron-strings — and yet, forsooth, you must begin to talk
of love ! Get along, you precocious young rascal, and
do not let me hear again of your putting such absurd
ideas into the Girl's head. Love and marriage — Ha!
ha! ha! by mine honour, it is enough to make an ho-
nest man break the rim of his stomach with laughter,
to hear children talk in this manner ! "

The worthy Gentleman forgot that although his
Nephew and Daughter were children in his estimation,
the former had nearly arrived at the respectable age
of nineteen, and that the latter was only one year
younger ; and that although their thinking of marriage

THE OLD FOREST RANGER. 371

at that age might be imprudent, still it was natural
enough that something very like love should have sprung
up between two young creatures thrown so much to-
gether as they had been for the last two or three
months, and that it was entirely his own fault if he
had been so blind as not to discover it sooner. But it
was so long since Old Lorimer had been a victim to
the tender passion himself, that he had almost ceased
to remember that such a thing existed, and had no
more idea of the " child Kate's" falling in love with
any thing but a pet-dog, or a favourite pony, than he
had of flying.

Charles was of a different way of thinking ; his pride
was galled by the contemptuous manner in which his
proposals had been received. He that had slain Bears
aud Tigers to be called a child ! a " precocious young
rascal ! " nay, to be treated as such. To be told that he
had no business to make love ! And, worst of all, to
hear his darling Kate laughed at for a silly school-girl !
Heavens and earth ! the thing was intolerable. He felt
his blood boil within him ; and had the offender been
any one but his o\\ti Uncle, there is no saying to what
lengths his rage might have carried him. But for-
tunately his prudence got the better of his temper, he
remembered that his Uncle — savage though he thought
him at the time — was also Kate's Father, and he there-
fore replied with wonderful coolness, yet with firmness.
He reminded his Uncle, that although young, he was
not quite so much of a child as he had represented
him ; that he was of good family, and heir apparent to a
good property ; and although he had taken the liberty

R B 2

372 A PAP.TIXfr \VORU FROM

of ascertaining the state of his Cousin''s affections towards
him, that neither he nor Kate had any idea of marry-
ing immediately. He had ah-eady made arrangements
for starting that night to join his regiment, and only
wished his Uncle, before parting, to give his consent to
their union at any future period which he might think
most advisable.

This Old Loriraer would not hear of. And we think
he was right ; for we hold it, that long engagements
between young persons, are veiy unwise things, and by
all means to be avoided. But he admired the boy's
candour and spirit — perhaps his conscience smote him
for having treated the matter with such levity — and
although he still persisted in assuring Charles that it
was all " calf's love," he shook hands with him kindly,
and told him that evening, at parting, that if, when he
became a General Officer, he still remained constant,
and Kate unmarried, he might then, perhaps, allow him
to talk of love. But in the mean time, that he was to
banish all such foolish fancies from his mind, devote
himself to his profession, and strive to become as good a
Soldier as he was a Sportsman. ISIoreover he strictly
forbade all correspondence between the young lovers.
And so he gave Charles his blessing — for he really loved
the boy — and sent him on his way, in a palanquin, by
torchlight, with as heavy a heart as ever poor Subaltern
carried under a buff belt.

We purposely avoid making any mention of the
parting scene between the young lovers — not that we
are ignorant of the particulars — but because we feel
that it would be a breach of confidence on our part, to

THK OLD FOUK.sT UAXGKU

lay them before the pubhc. We have a conscience,
Lady !

The Doctor, however, remarked next morning at
breakfast, that poor Kate's eyes were very red, and her
spirits at a very low ebb, and his heart, as he said
himself, " was wae for the poor young thing."

From this time forth, our friend AlcPhee became a
more frequent visiter than ever at the Lorimers', and
was always a welcome one. His dry humour, and eccen-
tricity of character, had long ago made him a great
favourite with the Old Gentleman, and, in a very short
time, lie had completely won Kate's heart also.

The worthy Doctor, in spite of his broad Scotch dia-
lect and rough exterior, had not only a heart overflowing
with the milk of human kindness ; but, when he laid
aside his half-affected rusticity, and chose to make
himself agreeable, he displayed a refinement of mind, and
a depth of knowledge, which appeared quite marvellous
in a person of such uncouth manners. His love for
" Maister Charles" was unbounded, and his name ever
in his mouth, which of itself, independently of his having
been instrumental in saving his life, would have been
sufficient to render him agreeable in Kate's eyes. But
he also took a fatherly interest in herself; and strove
with so much assiduity, yet genuine delicacy, to cheer
her drooping spirits, that she must have been insensible
indeed to kindness, had her heart not warmed towards
the good aff'ectionate creature.

It was some time after Charles had left Ootacamund,
that the worthy Doctor was seen one fine fresh morn-
ing, striding with even longer steps than usual in the

874 A PARTING WORD FROM

direction of Old Lorimer's cottage. He was dressed in
his best sabbath-day suit. There was an elasticity in
his step, and a joyous air of happiness pervading the
whole man, which attracted the notice of all the gossips
of the neighbourhood, and set them forthwith speculating
as to the cause of these remarkable symptoms in the
usually sedate Doctor.

Some IVIaiden Ladies of a certain age, who iiad lately
remarked with much anxiety the frequency of the
Doctor's visits to Old Lorimer's cottage, felt satisfied
that the mystery was now about to be cleared up. It
was self-evident that the Doctor, availing himsel£ of the
illness of Old Lorimer, who was confined to his room by
an attack of gout, was now on his way to make his
proposals to Miss' Lorimer, and probably to arrange
plans for an elopement. They had long ago seen through
the old wretch's designs, and wondered how dear good-
natured Mr. Lorimer could be so blind as not to perceive
the very great, they might indeed say improper, intimacy
which had for some time existed between Miss Lorimer
and Doctor Mc.Phee. Others whose thoughts were
less fully occupied by love affairs, were satisfied with the
supposition that the Doctor had, through the interest of
Old Lorimer, been appointed to the situation of garrison-
surgeon on the Governor's staff, and was now on his way
to announce the glad tidings to his Patron. Whilst some
of a more gloomy temperament had it from undoubted
authority, that the Doctor was hastening to attend the
death-bed of Mr. Lorimer, who had been attacked during
the night by a fit of apoj^lexy, from which there were no
hopes of his recovery, and that the prospect of a good

THE OLD KORKST KAXGKR. oiO

legacy was sufficient to account for the joyous air of the
hypocritical old rogue. They had all along said that
Mc.Phee was not devoting so much of his time to the
Lorimers for nothing. His affectation of simplicity was
all very well. But their hearers might take their word
for it, he was more rogue than fool.

Our worthy Doctor, unconscious of the many good-
natured remarlvs which his Sunday coat and happy face
elicited — and which indeed would have given him very
little annoyance had he heard them — went on his way
rejoicing, his smile becoming brighter, and the execution
of his favourite air " Johnny Cope" more energetic, the
nearer he approached to the place of his destination.
Arrived at the house, he walked in without ceremony,
and availing himself of the privilege of an intimate and
welcome friend, proceeded at once to the door of Kate's
little boudoir, in which she usually sat during the
morning.

By mine honour. Friend Mc.Phee, there is something
rather suspicious in all this. We hope the surmises
of our sagacious female friends may not prove correct
after all !

The Doctor gave a modest rap at the door, and was
desired by a sweet low voice to enter.

It was only now that poor Mc.Phee remembered it
might perhaps be thought presumptuous on his part to
intrude on the privacy of a Young Lady without being
previously announced ; and the idea of his having been
guilty of a breach of good manners brought on a fit
of nervous agitation, which rendered the poor man's
manner, on entering the room, even more awkward than

376 A PARTING WORD FROM

usual ; he remained scraping and bowing with the handle
of the door in his hand, and could not summon courage
sufficient to venture beyond the threshold, till reassured
by one of Kate's sweetest smiles.

" I hope I 'm no intrudin' on you, Miss Kate," stam-
mered the poor Doctor, closing the door softly, and
advancing towards the sofa on which Kate was seated,
at the same time smoothing the nap of his hat with
great care, and stepping as cautiously as if he feared to
hear the sound of his own footsteps.

" Not at all, my dear Doctor," replied Kate, smiling,
and extending her hand kindly towards him. "Pray
be seated. You know you are always welcome here."

The Doctor drew in a chair, seated himself upon the
extreme edge, and continued to smooth his hat with
greater industry than ever, evidently at a loss how to
open the conversation.

We shall avail ourselves of the awkward pause to
introduce the Reader to Kate's boudoir.

On one side of the room stood her pianoforte, with
a collection of the best and newest music, carefully
arranged in a handsome music-stand within reach. In
the bow-window was a stand filled with flower-pots, con-
taining some of the rarest and most fragrant plants,
their healthy appearance bearing ample testimony to
the care bestowed upon them by their young mistress.
Behind this was a table on which stood a half-finished
clay bust, surrounded by modelling tools ; and by it lay
a portfolio, which being open, displayed to view some
fine specimens of original drawings by the old masters.
In various corners of the room might be seen writing

THE OLD l-ORKST RAXGER. Oii

materials, books, embroidering frames, and smidry little
indescribable nick-nacks appertaining to a Lady's work-
box, and in front of the sofa on which Kate sat, stood a
table covered with drawing-materials, and a half-finished
sketch of the Orange Valley in water colours. The
floor was covered with the finest rattan-matting. In
front of the fireplace a carefully-dressed Tiger-skin — one
of Cousin Charles's trophies — was spread in place of a
rug. And at the feet of his young mistress lay a beau-
tiful tame Gazelle, wearing round his slender neck a
richly-embroidered velvet collar. This too, we rather
suspect was a present from " dear Cousin Charles."

The walls of the rooms were hung round with fine,
boldly-touched drawings of some of the most pictu-
resque views on the Neilgherry Hills. These were the
produce of Kate's own pencil ; but there were inter-
mixed with them several spirited sketches of animals in
a different style, but equally well executed, which the
Doctor had no difficulty in recognizing as the handy-
work of " JSlaister Charles," who, he often used to re-
mark, " was just extraordinar' for takin' off" the likeness
o' a wild craiter as natural as life."

Kate was seated on a sofa, dressed in the most simple
white, and looking even more lovely than usual. The
roses had forsaken her cheeks, and there Avas an ex-
pression of sadness in her soft blue eye ; but this
only served to heighten the naturally expressive cha-
racter of her features, and I'ender them more interest-
ing. She had thrown aside her pencil like one whose
thoughts are too much distracted to permit of their
fixing their attention for any length of time to one

378 A PARTING WORD FROM

subject, and was hanging in a pensive attitude over her
guitar, as if overwhelmed by the host of tender recol-
lections which the sound of its notes had called up
around her. She laid the instrument aside as the
Doctor entered, and with natural good-breeding, strove
to relieve his evident embarrassment, by starting a sub-
ject of conversation.

" How did you find my Father this morning, Doc-
tor ? " she said, thinking that the Doctor had come as
usual in his official capacity. " I thought him looking
much better when I saw him,"

" I didna gang to see him yet," replied the Doctor,
with rather a sheepish air. " It was yourseP, Miss
Kate, that I wanted to speak a word wi'."

" With me, Doctor?" replied Kate, smiling.

" Aye, just wi' you, Miss Kate. I hae somethin' in
my pouch here, that I was thinkin' ye would maybe like
to see, and yet maybe ye '11 no' be pleased wi' me for
takin' the liberty o' showin' it to you. But it has made
my heart light enough this blessed morning, and I 'm
thinkin' it will no' do yours ony harm either." So say-
ing, the Doctor di-ew a crumpled letter from his pocket,
and handed it to Kate, with a broad grin of exultation.

Kate's hand trembled, and the blood rushed into her
pale cheeks as her eye fell upon the well-known hand-
writing of her Cousin Charles. She hastily opened the
letter, and strove hard to compose herself sufficiently
to read the contents ; but her agitation was so painfully
apparent that the kind-hearted Doctor could not bear to
witness it.

" You '11 maybe no' be able to make it out very

THE OLD FOREST RANGER. 379

easily, Miss Kate," said he, gently withdrawing the
letter from poor Kate's trembling hand. " He has been
writin' in a terrible hm*ry, the wild birkie ; and wi' an
awfu' ill pen ; and it 's that sore blotted, I could hardly
make anythin' ©""t myseP at first. But I hae manned it
at last, so \nth your leave I '11 just tak' the liberty o'
readin"" it to you."

Kate faintly smiled her thanks, and the Doctor, after
having carefully adjusted his spectacles, read as follows: —

" Fort of Koolgiedroog, 15th of May.
" My dear Doctor,

" We have taken the Fort of Koolgiedroog, said to
be the strongest in the Southern Maharattah country.
It was a sharp business while it lasted, but short and
decisive. I was fortunate enough to have the honour of
leading the forlorn hope, and thank God, escaped unhurt,
or rather with a mere scratch, not worth mentioning.
The Brigadier commanding has been pleased to com-
pliment me in orders, and has promised to exert his in-
fluence in procuring my promotion. So you see I am in
a fair way of procuring one step at least towards the
desirable rank of General Officer. I address this to you
because I am sure you will take the earliest opportunity
of communicating its contents to my Cousin Kate. It
will save the dear girl much unnecessary anxiety on my
account, when she comes to see the rather hea\y list of
casualties, which I regret to say will appear in the next
Gazette, and in which the stupid Surgeon may perhaps
think it necessary to include my name. I shall write to
my Uncle by next tapall, and enter more fully into par-
ticulars. Tell Kate, with my kindest love, — "

380 A PAUTI.VG WORD FROM

" Ahem ! ha ! and so on." The Doctor stopped short,
coughed, wiped his spectacles, folded up the letter, and
returned it to Kate.

" That 's a' the news worth mentionin', Miss Kate,"
said he ; " the rest is just bits o' messages and civeeli-
ties, and the like o' that, to you and your Faither,
honest man, that are no' worth my while to be readin'
to you. You can just keep the letter and look it o'er
at yom* leisure." So saying, the Doctor resumed the
smoothing of his hat previous to taking his departure.

Kate, whose quivering lip and moistened eyelid be-
trayed the depth of her emotion, strove to master her
feelings sufficiently to thank the Doctor for his kind
visit, but the effort was too much for her : she allowed
the letter to drop to the ground, and covering her face
with her hands, burst into a violent fit of hysterical
weeping.

" O Miss Kate ! Miss Kate ! " exclaimed the kind-
hearted Doctor, his own eyes beginning to fill with
moisture. " Ye maunna allow yoursel' to tak' on this
way — else I '11 be fear'd e'er to tell you a piece o' good
news again — and I 'm sure it 's a' good news ye hae
heard the day, barrin"" the bit scart JVlaister Charles got
in the bruilzie — but that 's a mere trifle, and as he says
himser, no' worth the mentionin'."

" Pardon me, my dear Doctor," sobbed poor Kate,
extending one hand to the Doctor, whilst she still
covered her face with the other. " Pardon this weak-
ness— it is childish, I know ; but my nerves have been
so shaken of late, that I feel quite weak and foolish.
Leave me now, T pray you. I shall be better soon,

TTIE OLD FOREST nANTrKR. 381

and able, I hope, to thank }ou as I ought for your
kindness,"

The Doctor rose to depart ; but ere he reached the
door, the big tears of sympathy were rolHng fast down
his long thin nose.

" It 's maybe no good manners," murmured the
worthy Doctor, turning back and dashing a tear from
his eye, "but De'el tak' me if I can thale to leave this
poor young thing, greetin' her very heart out, and no'
sae ae word to comfort her. It gangs against my con-
science.

" I crave your pardon,, my dear Young Lady," said
he, trying to soften the naturally rough tones of his
voice, and speaking with more confidence than he had
hitherto done, — for his generous heart was swelling
within him, and fast overcoming the painful feeling of
bashfulness which had hitherto restrained him, — " I
crave your pardon, my dear Young Lady. I 'm a rough
auld carle, and maybe no' a very fit comforter for the
like o' you ; but I hae a heart, jNIiss Kate, I hae a
heart, and it 's just at the breakin' to see you takin' on
this way, and no' a leevin' soul to say a kind word to
you. I canna thale to see it, that 's just the truth, so
I maun e'en speak my mind, whether ye be angered wi'
me for doin' it or no."

The Doctor paused for a reply, but Kate mad6 no
answer, so he proceeded.

" You will see. Miss Kate, when you read the rest
o' your Cousin's letter, that he has made me his confi-
dant, and that I ken a' aboot the bit love affair that 's

382 A PARTING WORD FROM

atween you two. If ye had ony friend to comfort and
advise you, I wouldna hae ta''en the hberty o' mentionin''
tliis; but as it is, I thought it better to break the ice
at ance, and beg, if you think I can be of ony service
to you, to command Jock !Mc.Phee. I am auld enough
to be your faither, ^Nliss Kate — I feel a faither's love
both for you and Maister Charles, and I hae a heart
that would carry me through fire and water to serve
3'ou, so ye needna hae nae scruples about opening your
heart to me. Poor Maister Charles ! he was terrible
do\m-hearted the day he left this ; but I managed to
cheer him awee afore we par4;ed, and I dimia dispair o*
brmgin' the smiles back to your ain bonny face too afore
lang, so keep your heai't up, my dear Miss Kate, keep
your heart up. I ken yom* Faither's nature weel ; he 's
no' sae dooms hard-hearted as he appears, and you '11
see that things will a' come right enough afore lang.
And now, my dear Young Lady, I '11 awa', and I hope
you 11 pardon me for the liberty I hae ta'en in speakin'
sae free ; for it 's just as true as Gospel that I couldna
help it. You '11 maybe think it a daft-like thing for
an auld carle like me to be takin' an interest in the like
o' thae things ; but I hae had experience. Miss Kate,
I hae had sad experience, and though I 'm no' very
young, I hae a soft corner in my heart yet.""

Here the worthy Doctor laid his hand upon his heart,
and screwed up his grotesque features into such an
absurd expression of sentimental misery, that Kate
could not help smiling through her tears.

" And so ye ai'e laughin' at the auld Doctor," he said,

THE OLD FOREST RANGER. 383

smiling in his turn, " ^Veel, weel, it does my heart
good to see the smile upon that winsome young face
again, for a' it 's mysel' ye'r laughin"' at."

" Pardon me, my dear Doctor," she said, extending
her hand kindly, whilst the smile brightened on her
beautiful face like sunshine breaking through an April
shower; "Heaven forbid that I should laugh at you.
Pray sit down again. I am better now, and feel that
your society cheers me, and does me good. And now
that we have touched upon the subject, I should like
you, if I am not taking too great a liberty in making the
request, to tell me something of the passages in your
past life to which you have alluded. You will find in me
a deeply interested and truly sympathizing listener."

" A-weel, Miss Kate," replied the Doctor, twirling
his watch-key and casting his eyes upon the ground,
half bashful, yet half pleased at the evident interest
which Kate took in his affairs. " Ye ai'e askin' me to
speak o' that which I hae na' mentioned to mortal man
for the last thirty years, and which it wrings my very
heart to think o', e'en at this distance o' time. But it
will, maybe, do me good to speak o' thae things to you,
Miss Kate, for I ken ye hae a heart that can feel for the
sorrows o' others; and, at ony rate, I couldna refuse
you anything, so I '11 just tell you a' about it."

The Doctor drew his chair a little nearer the sofa,
took a nervous pinch of snuff", and thus began : —

" When I was young, Miss Kate, although ye '11
hardly believe it noo, I was no' that ill to look upon.
My Mither, honest woman — she was a Heeland wife,
and had a gae dash o' the Heeland pride in her — ^^as

384 A PARTING WORD FROM

for ever deevin' in my Faither's lugs that I had the air
o' a Gentleman born, and that she could never dee con-
tented till she had seen me wagging my head in a pulpit;
till, for peace sake the poor man was at last obleeged
to give up the idea o' makin' me an honest farmer like
himsel', and sent me to the College o' Glasgow to study
my Humanities. Findin', howe'er, that he had nae great
interest to look to for gettin' me a Kirk, and as I was a
gae througliother cheel in thae days, at ony rate, he
determined to breed me up to the medical profession, in
place o' makin' a Minister o' me.

" It was during my visit at hame, in my first vacation,
that I became acquainted wi' Jeany JNIorrison, the
daughter o' a new neighbour of ours that had ta'en the
next farm durin' my absence. O Miss Kate ! if ye
had kent my Jeany ye wouldna wonder that I still
cherish her image in my heart. In looks she wasna
unlike yoursel', and that 's bonny enough. And O Miss
Kate ! she was as good as she was bonny. She was
just a perfect Angel upon earth, and o'er good for this
wicked world. I needna tell you I loved her — I did
that in my very heart of hearts, and I believe she, poor
thing, loved me as truly as ever woman did. But ye
ken the old saying, ' The course of true love never did
run smooth,' and in our case this was verified. Her
Faither had nae great tocher to gie her ; and I, a poor
medical student, wi' very slender hopes o' obtainin'
practice, after I had spent a' the little I was worth
in education, what had I to look to ? In short, our
parents, although they had nae other objection to the
match, wouldna allow us to think o' marriage till I

THE OT,D FORK^T RANGER. 385

had earned enough by my profession to keej) a Wife
respectably.

" I needna trouble you, my dear Miss Kate, wi' an
account o' the mony difficulties I had to struggle through
as a country Surgeon, and the mony thrifty expedients
I had recourse to to scrape tegither a wee pickle siller.
Suffice it to say that I, at last, obtained an appointment
as Medical Officer, on board of one of the Company's
ships, came out to this country, got into good practice,
and have ever since been able, not only to scrape tegither
some little savin's for mysel' but to keep my auld Parents
in easy circumstances to the end o' their days — rest
their souls !

" It was some five years after my arrival in this country
that I foimd myseP weel enough off to return to bonny
Scotland, and claim the hand o' my Jeany. It was a
joyfu' day to me, Miss Kate, when I landed once more
on the shores o' Fife, and clasped my faithful Jeany to
my heart. The day was fixed for our weddin' — the
friends were bidden — and the very next mornin' Jeany
was to have been mine for ever. We had strolled out,
arm-in-arm among the bonny bii'k-woods, talkin' o' love
and happiness, and forming plans for the future — short-
sighted mortals that we were ! — and sae interesting was
our conversation that it was far in the glomin afore we
thought o' returning. Fearing that our friends might
be uneasy about us if wc didna return afore dark, we
determined to tak' a short cut which obleeged us to
cross the burn at the back o' the hoose, by a ford. It
had rained durin' the day, and the water was comin'
down red and angry frae the hills. Poor dear Jeany !

c c

386 A PARTING wonn from

she maun hae had some misgivin's, for T mind o'er weel
her remarkin', at the time, that she thought the swirls
o' the drumly water looked awfu' earie in the cauld light
o' the full harvest moon, and that she was sure she
heard the voice o' the Kelpie moanin' up the glen.
However I kent the ford weel, and was laith to gang
a mile roond by the brig ; so, like a presumptuous
sinner as I was, I laughed at what I called her super-
steetious fears, and liftin' her in my arms, waded into
the water.

" We had mostly reached the opposite side — the fire
was glancing bright and cheerfu"' through the cottage
windows, the auld gudeman was standin' in the door,
wi' his white hair glancin' like silver in the moonlight,
waitin' to welcome his ain dear bairn to his arms, and
I was just beginnin' to banter poor Jeany on her need-
less alarm, when my foot slipped on a smooth stane —
my legs gaed frae under me — and next moment we were
swept away down the ragin' water, clasped in ane ano-
ther's arms. I was a strong swimmer then, but my poor
Jeany clung to me wi' the grasp o' dispair, and my limbs
were powerless. I mind nae mare till I came to my
senses, mony hours afterwards, and found mysel' in bed,
in the house of poor Jeany's Faither. My first thought
was for Jeany. I asked if she was saved. They didna
answer me, but the tears that blinded their een told
the sad tale o'er weel. I sprung frae the bed wi' a yell
o' dispair that gart them flee afore me, for they thought
I was fae. I rushed into the next room, and there, on
the very bed which was, that night, to ha'e been our
bridal bed, lay the cold, blue corpse of my own loved

THE OLD FOREST HANGER. 387

Jeany, streckit for the burial. O Miss Kate ! IMiss
Kate ! it 's thirty lang, weary, years sin"" syne, but I
canna thale to think o' that awfu' night, even to this day."

Here the poor Doctor's feehngs completely over-
powered him ; he covered his face with his hands, and
wept like a child.

Kate, whose tender feelings had been worked up to
a pitch of painful excitement by the Doctor's tragical
tale, was almost as much overcome as the poor man
himself, and it was some time before either could utter
a word.

The Doctor was the first to recover his composure.

" Ye maun think me a poor silly body, my dear Miss
Kate, to gie way to my feelings in this way, but I see
by that sweet smile that ye dinna think the waur o'
poor Jock Mc.Phee for haein' a soft heart. God bless
you, my dear bairn ! God bless you ! "

The Doctor had neai'ly reached the door, when he
suddenly stopped short, and turning towards Kate, said,
in rather a hesitating manner —

" I hae somethin' here, my dear Miss Kate, that ye
would, maybe, like to see. Nae mortal eye except my
own has ever looked upon it for the last thirty years,
but after the kind sympathy ye hae shown in the sad
fate o' my poor dear Jeany, I would like to think that
ye had seen, even a faint resemblance o' her bonny face.
There, dear, ye can look at it at your leisure, and return
it to me in the evening, but dinna say a word aboot it
to nae leevin' soul."

So saying, the Doctor drew from his breast something
carefully enveloped in a small bag of chamois-leather,

c c 2

388 A PARTING WORD FROM

much soiled with use, and thrusting it into Kate's hand,
rushed out of the room.

On removing the somewhat unseemly covering of cha-
mois-leather, Kate discovered a miniature painting of a
pretty interesting country Girl, dressed in the simple
garb of a peasant, and having her fair locks braided
with the silken snood of a Scottish Maiden. The
painting, although somewhat faded, still bore traces of a
master's hand, and there was a look of sweet simplicity
in the face of the poor Girl, whose tragical fate she had
just heard narrated, that she could not resist weeping
afresh over her melancholy history.

But, Lady, we are forgetting ourselves ! — for which
we humbly crave thy pardon. We promised long ago
to dispose of our characters forthwith, and retire; yet
here we are running on as if thy patience were inex-
haustible. We shall despatch. Lady, we shall despatch.

Know then that our young friend Charles, after a shoi't
but brilliant military career, succeeded, by the death of
an old Uncle, to a handsome property at home. He lost
no time in again suing for the hand of his Fair Cousin,
and was this time successful. He soon afterwards
returned to England, retired from the army, and is now
living with his Kate, who, by the way, has become the
mother of half-a-dozen fine children, in the full enjoy-
ment of the most perfect domestic happiness.

Mansfield is still a bachelor, and a General Officer,
well known among his sporting friends by the soubriquet
of " Tiger ^Mansfield." He is no longer young, but is
still universally acknowledged to possess the truest eye,
and the steadiest hand of any man in India.

THE OLD FOREST RANGER. 389

Old Loriraer still enjoys a vigorous old age, and an-
nually accompanies his Son-in-law to the North of Scot-
land, where he rents an extensive Deer Forest, plentifully
stocked with game. The Old Gentleman is no longer
able to use his ponderous rifle with effect, but he cannot
bear to have the favourite weapon out of his sight. It
is therefore permitted to occupy a conspicuous place in
the dining-room of the Shooting Lodge, where it affords
to the Venerable Sportsman an ever ready excuse for
holding forth on his favourite topic, the unrivalled ex-
ploits of his beloved " Kill-devil."

The worthy Doctor, to use his own words, " is still
to the fore, and able to hirple about." He has pur-
chased a pretty little Cottage in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Young Lorimer's Shooting Lodge, and
spends the greater part of his time with him and his
Wife, whom he still persists in calling " his dear JSIiss
Kate." He is an immense favourite with all the children,
but particularly with "young Maister Charles,"" who
sits, for hours together, on the Old Man's knee, listen-
ing with childish delight to his long-winded stories about
Bears and Tigers, Mons Meg, Wild Soos, and his Old
Friend the Forest Ranger.

Gentle Reader, adieu ! We have told our last tale,
and now it only remains for us to offer thee our sincere
thanks for having so long listened, like " young Maister
Charles," to an Old Man's claoers.

GLOSSARY OF HINDOSTANEE W ORDS.

Abba 1 — An exclamation of surprise, or complaint.

Ameldar. — The Native Collector of a district.

Ayah. — A Native female Servant.

Burrak Shikar. — The hunting of large animals.

Bagh-hie. — There is a Tiger here.

Buckshish. — A present.

Bangles. — Ornaments, generally of sUver, worn round the wiists

and ankles.
Bungalow. — A house such as Europeans inhabit.
Burrah Hakim Sahib. — The Great Doctor Gentleman.
Burrah Khamah. — A great dinner. — A feast.

Burrah Sahib. — Great Sir. — A Great Man. — A term of respect ap-
plied to European Gentlemen.
Bhot Atch Sahib. — Very good. Sir.
Bagh ! — A Tiger.
Bagh-mar. — Tiger-slayer.
Chor do. — Let loose.

Cumberbund. — A shawl or sash worn round the waist.
Cumbley. — A coarse sort of blanket worn by the poorer class of

Natives in India.
Cutch. — An Indian Province celebrated for a particular breed of

Horses.
Coolies. — Men who carry burdens.
Chuprasee bolow. — Call the Tent-pitchers.
Cotwall. — A Village Dignitary. — The head man of the Police, whose

business it is to supply Travellers with provisions.
Cowrie baskets. — Covered baskets for carrying provisions on a

march.
Chunam. — A very fine sort of plaster, made from shells, which,

v/hen dry, has exactly the appearance of white marble.
Chowrie. — A bunch of horse-hair, or sometimes the tail of a Musk

Ox, fixed into a handle, which Horsekeepers carry to brush

away the flies.
Dekho Sahib. — Look, Sir.
Galee. — Abusive language.
Ghats, or Ghauts. — Mountain Passes.
Gram. — A kind of pulse on which Horses are fed in India.
Gorah lao. — Bring forth the Horse.
Gorah-walluk. — A Horse-keeper.
Ho Sahib. — Yes, Sir.

392 GLOSSARY OF IIINUOSTANEE WORDS.

Huttee. — An Elephant.

Howdah. — The seat fastened on an Elephant's back.

Idder aon. — Come hither.

Inshallah. — Please God, or, Praise be to God. An e.Yclamation
ever in the mouth of a Mussulman when excited.

Jo hookum Sahib. — It is an order. Sir.

Jemmadar. — A Native Officer. — This title is often assumed by the
head men of particular tribes.

Jagheerdar. — A landed Proprietor. — A petty Prince.

Jagyary. — A coarse sort of sugar.

Jungle Wallah. — Jungle Man. — A savage.

Kallion. — A small portable Hookah, or Hubble-bubble.

Koolgha. — A Buffalo. — The Natives of the Canara district call the
Bison, Jungle Koolgha, or Jungle Buffalo.

Mussaulchee. — A Low Caste Native Servant, commonly called a
Maty Boy, in the Madras Presidency.

Mahout. — The Driver of an Elephant.

Maugree. — A large species of Jessamine.

Nullah. — A small ravine. — A watercourse.

Ne Sahib. — No, Sir.

Natch Girls. — Dancing Girls.

Peon. — A Personal Attendant distinguished by wearing a shoulder-
belt. — An armed Follower.

Pillaw. — A highly spiced Indian dish composed of meat and rice.

Puggarie. — The cloth of which a turban is formed.

Reench. — A Bear.

Ryot. — A Cultivator of the Soil. — A Peasant.

Shikar. — The hunting of wild animals.

Shikaree. — A Hunter.

Sunho Sahib. — Listen, Sir.

Swamy. — The Hindoo Deity. — A term of the highest respect, some-
times applied to a Superior.

Tapall. — The Mail, in India, is carried by men on foot, who are
called Tapalls.

Todah Mund. — A cluster of huts inhabited by Todahs.

Tulwar. — A sword.

Topee Wallahs. — Men who wear hats. — Europeans.

Wallah ! Wallah ! — An exclamation of astonishment.

Wah! Wah!—D'itio.

NOTES.

" Athol Brose." — Page 5, line 5.

A very delightful compound, for which Meg Dods gives the
following receipt : —

" Mix with a cupful of heather-honey, two of mountain-
dew, alias whisky."

We have little doubt that this was the tipple in which
Father Jove indulged, under the classical name of nectar.

" Climate of the Neilgherry Hills.'' — Page 7, line 2.

I have no hesitation in saying that the climate of the Neil-
gherry Hills is about the finest in the known world. Lying
between the parallels of 11° and 12° North Latitude, they
enjoy all the brilliancy and splendid moonlight of a tro-
pical climate, whilst their great elevation (8,700 feet above
the level of the sea) not only tempers the heat, but gives to
the air a pureness and elasticity, unknown in less elevated
situations. A meteorological table kept on the Hills, from
March 1825 to March 1826, makes the maximum of the
thermometer, at noon, 69°, and the minimum 55° ; the maxi-
mum at 6 A. M. 60°, and the minimum 31°. — Is it possible to
conceive a climate more perfect than this ?

The first Europeans who ever visited the Neilgherry Hills,
were a party of gentlemen from Coimbatoor, who made an
excursion to them in 1819. They spoke in raptures of the
appearance of the Country, and of the climate, and, soon
afterwards, published an account of their tour, in the Madras

394 NOTES.

journals. But, strange to say, this account failed to attract
much public attention. In 1820, another party, accompanied
by a Lady, ascended the Hills. In 1821, a pass was opened
to the mountains, by Government, and some Families took up
their temporary abode there. Since that time, the beautiful
Cantonment of Ootacamund has been rapidly increasing. A
handsome Church, a Military Hospital, a splendid mansion for
the Governor, and many good houses have been erected. A
Bazaar, and several excellent shops have been established,
and, for some years back it has been a favourite place of
resort, during the hot months, for the Inhabitants of Bombay
as well as those of Madras.

I am so enthusiastic an admirer of the Neilgherry Hills, that
I shall not trust myself to describe the scenery, lest I be ac-
cused of exaggeration, but shall take the liberty of making a
few extracts from Mr. Hough's book, which gives a very cor-
rect account of this delightful Region.

" Neilgherry is a Canarese term, compounded of Neil,
blue; and gherry, a mountain. The lofty Hills, so named,
form the nucleus of the Ghats, described above, and are
situated between the parallels of 11° and 12° North Lati-
tude, and 76° and 77° of East Longitude. * *

'* The acclivities of the mountains present a wild and
rugged aspect, covered with impenetrable jungle, amongst
which are seen numerous gigantic forest trees — teak, mango,
ebony, black-wood, tamarind, &c. &c. But their character
too much resembles that of other mountain regions in India
to require, here, a more particular description."

**********

" The scenery of this interesting Country it is difficult to
describe in adequate language. It presents very little of that
bleak, rugged, and barren appearance, which is common to
most other mountainous regions. Peringa and Maika Naads
(districts) are composed of mountains which vary greatly in
their elevation. Some of these eminences are almost perpen-
dicular, towering to the clouds, and descending in deep and

X0TE3. 39o

terrific precipices. Their sides are occasionally bare, but
more frequently covered with fine grass, a rich profusion of
plants, and a short brushwood, with almost every variety of
fern." *********

" The vast sides of some of the Hills are literally clothed
with trees, occasionally forming extensive woods — the pic-
turesque copses that fill or border their ravines, sometimes
assuming a circular form, at others that of a crescent, which
are so accurately defined that they appear to have been
planted by the hand of man.

" They are adorned with the large crimson flower of the
Rhododendron, and the white blossom of a species of Camellia,
both of which trees grow here to the height of from thirty to
forty feet, A species of Dog-rose, and the Jessamine, in their
respective seasons, literally bespangle the woods, and perfume
the air with their fragrance. These, with the pepper vine,
intersect the branches, hanging in festoons, and climbing to
the tops of the loftiest forest trees."

So much for Mr. Hough's description of the scenery —
which is rendered doubly interesting to the Sportsman, by
the fact of all these beautiful woods being plentifully stocked
with game.

Here is a list of the animals and birds, with which I became
acquainted during a sojourn of six months on the Neilgherries,
— and of which I shall give a more particular description as
they occur in the text.

The Samber, or Black Rusa Deer (Cervus Aristotelis) ,
vulgarly called the Elk.

The Muntjack, or Rib-faced Deer {Cervus Muntjack), a
variety of the Musk Deer — sometimes, very absurdly, named
the Jungle Sheep.

A variety of the Ibex, which, for reasons hereafter given,
I believe to have hitherto escaped the notice of Naturalists,
and which I have therefore named the Ibex of the Neilgherry
Hills. — He frequents the lofty precipices overhanging the Low

S96 NOTES.

Country, and, from this circumstance, has been erroneously
described as a species of Chamois.

Wild Hog {Sus Aper).

Tiger (Felis Tigris), not so numerous as in the plains.

Panther, or Leopard {Felis Leopardus).

Black Bear of India {Ursus Labiatus).

Jackall {Canis Aureus).

Wild, or Jungle Dog {Canis Familiaris).

The Crested Porcupine {Hystrix Cristata), the flesh of
which is considered a great delicacy.

A species of black Ape, wliich I believe to be the Ouan-
deron, or Lion-tailed Baboon {Simia Macacus Silenus).

And the Common Hare.

The Game birds are, the

Woodcock {Scolopax Rusticula), the existence of which,
in India, was, till of late years, unknown. They arrive about
the end of October, and take their departure in March.
They are not found in the Low Country.

The Common Snipe, the Jack Snipe, and the Painted Snipe
{Rhynccea Capensis).

Pea-fowl, Jungle-fowl, and Spur-fowl {Perdix Spadiceus),
found in all the woods, but particularly numerous in the
Orange Valley, about fifteen miles from Ootacamund.

And two varieties of Quail ; the small brown Jungle Quail,
and a larger variety with red legs, the name of which I do
not know.

The Cobra Capella, and other venomous snakes of India,
are unknown on the Hills. I only met with two small vari-
eties of the snake tribe, one black and the other green, both
of which are said to be harmless.

" The enraged Boar no sooner got a glimpse of his white
dress," Sfc. — Page 22, line 9.

The idea of poor Heels' adventure with the Boar was sug-
gested by the following passage in my Indian Journal : —

N0TK8. 397

" We had surrounded a sounder of Wild-hog in a ravine,
and were, as usual, posted at the different passes.

" The Doctor, who was next to me, had taken his stand
amongst some high grass, so that the Hog — which happened
to take his pass — were within ten yards of him before he ob-
served them ; — he fired at the foremost one, an immense Sow,
but missed her, and next moment the Old Lady was on
board of him.

'* The report of the rifle, followed by a savage grunt from
the Hog, and a yell of despair from the unfortunate Doctor,
attracted my attention to the spot. The high grass prevented
me from seeing distinctly what had occurred ; but some ten
yards down the side of the hill, I observed a dark object,
kicking and blaspheming in the midst of a thorn bush ; — And
— God forgive me — I could not help laughing, although, from
the nature of the accident, it was more than probable that
poor Mac was severely injured. The enraged Sow, having
disposed of the Doctor, charged his Servant, — who was a
little way behind with a spare gun — got her snout between
his legs — tossed him over her head — and sent him flying
down the hill, right on the top of his Master. This made the
Doctor roar louder than ever, and the energetic manner in
which he blessed poor Blacky's eyes, for falling on him, re-
lieved me much, by assuring me that his wounds were not
mortal. I tried to avenge his fall ; but was so convulsed
with laughter, that I missed right and left, and away went the
Sow in triumph. On picking up the Doctor we discovered
that he had escaped wonderfully well — thanks to his antago-
nist for being a Sow instead of a Boar. He had only received
a severe contusion, and a pretty extensive abrasion of the
skin from one of her blunt tusks, which had also ripped up
his nether garment, from the knee to the waist-band ; — but
had the same blow been inflicted by the tusk of a Boar, the
chances are it would have proved fatal. As it was, the poor
Doctor felt the effects of the accident for more than a fortnight.
His Maty Boy escaped with a few slight bruises.

398 NOTES.

" Mansfield's Peon springs forward,'' %c. — Page 31 , line 3.

Your good Mussulman will not eat the flesh of any animal,
that has not been blooded, and prayed over, either by himself
or one of his own Caste. He is ever ready, therefore, to rush
in, and draw blood from an animal, before he expires, for
unless blood follows the knife, he is debarred from using any
part of the flesh.

" TAe^d."— Page 33, line 1.

Any one who has ever shot a Deer, must know full well,
the very satisfactory sound which I have attempted to express
by the Scotch word — thud.

" The remains of the poor fellow presented a ghastly
spectacle.'' — Page 41, line 3.

The first Tiger I ever assisted in slaying, killed one of the
Beaters before our eyes, and his mangled body presented very
much the appearance I have attempted to describe in the
text.

" Here 's at him at all events." — Page 43, line 15.

Bears are often speared on horseback — What is there indeed
that an Indian Hog-hunter will not venture to attack with his
spear ? — but the chase is apt to terminate as I have described.
A friend of mine had his horse pulled down, and narrowly
escaped being killed in attempting to spear a Bear with a blunt
weapon.

" Have plenty of fireworks been sent to the ground?" —
Page 49, line 12.

In beating for a Tiger in thick cover, fireworks are often
required to make him bolt.

" Todahs:'—?2ige 50, line 29.

The Todahs are certainly the finest and most interesting
race of People I have met with in India. Here is a very

NOTES. 399

good description of them , taken from Captain Harkness' work
on the Neilgherry Hills.

" The appearance of the Todahs, who may be considered
the original inhabitants of the Hills, is certainly very prepos-
sessing. Generally above the common height, athletic, and
well made, their bold bearing, and open expressive counte-
nances, lead immediately to the conclusion, that they must be
of a different race to their neighbours of the same hue, and
the question naturally arises, who can they be ?

" They never wear any covering to the head, whatever the
weather may be, but allow the hair to grow to an equal length,
of about six or seven inches ; parted from the centre or crown,
it forms into natural bushy circlets, all round, and at a short
distance more resembles some artificial decoration, than the
simple adornment of nature. The hair of the face also is
allowed a similar freedom of growth, and in every instance,
except from the effect of age, it is of a jet black, and of the
same degree of softness, as that of the natives of the Low
Country.

" A large, full, and speaking eye, Roman nose, fine teeth,
and pleasing contour, having occasionally the appearance of
great gravity, but seemingly ever ready to fall into the ex-
pression of cheerfulness and good humour, are natural marks
prominently distinguishing them from all other natives of
India.

" They usually wear small gold earrings, some of them a
studded chain of silver round the neck, and rings of the same
description on the hand.

" Their dress consists of a short under garment, folded
round the waist, and fastened to a girdle ; and of an upper
one, or mantle, which covers every part except the head, legs,
and occasionally the right arm. These are left bare, the folds
of the mantle terminating with the left shoulder, over which
the bordered end is allowed to hang loosely.

* * * * *■**■* * *

" The women are of a stature proportionate to that of the

400 NOTES.

men, but of complexion generally some shades lighter, the
consequence, perhaps, of less exposure to the weather. With
a strongly feminine cast of the same expressive features as the
men, most of them, and particularly the younger, have beau-
tiful long black tresses, which flow in unrestrained luxuriance
over the neck and shoulders.

" With a modest and retiring demeanour, they are perfectly
free from the ungracious, and menial-like timidity of the
generality of the sex of the Low Country ; and enter into
conversation with a stranger, with a confidence and self-pos-
session becoming in the eyes of Europeans, and strongly
characteristic of a system of manners and customs, widely
different from those of their neighbours.

Their life being in every respect a pastoral one, they do not
congregate in towns or villages, but every family or the prin-
cipal branches of each family live separately."

For further particulars of this interesting people, I must
refer the Reader to Captain Harkness' work, which is well
worthy of remark.

In my Journal I find the following description of their
huts : —

" Their villages, which are called munds, generally consist
of four or five huts, and are almost invariably situated in the
most picturesque spots, the selection of which argues great
good taste on the part of the Todahs. I cannot say as much
for their taste in architecture.

" A Todah hut is, I think, the most uncomfortable habita-
tion for a human being that ever was invented. In form it is
an oblong square, about nine feet by seven, covered by a roof
like the tilt of a waggon, formed of a pliant species of bamboo,
covered with turf and neatly thatched, and is not more than
six or seven feet high : — the ends of the hut are closed up by
rough boards, and the only aperture in the whole building is
a hole at one end about two feet square, which serves for
door, window, chimney, and all. Four or five persons inhabit

X0TE3, 401

one of these bee-hives ; but how tliey manage to exist in them
is more than I can conceive. I once tried the experiment of
entering one — an operation which is performed on all-fours,
of course — and found the atmosphere so suffocating that I
was glad to make my escape in less than five minutes."

" The lav) of the Todahs allows but one Wife to the
inhabitants of each village.'' — Page 52, line 21.

I find this statement recorded in my Journal, but have dis-
covered since writing it, that it is not strictly correct. My
ignorance of the Todah language, and the circumstance of
my having visited some munds inhabited by several men, and
only one woman, occasioned the mistake. Tlie law of the
Todahs, although it allows a plurality of Husbands to the
Women, does not oblige them to become the Wife of a whole
village, the selection of a certain number of Husbands, from
those who aspire to her hand, being left either to the Lady or
to her Father.

The following extracts from Captain Harkness' work will
throw some light upon this curious subject : —

" Some of the Inhabitants from each of the monts we had
visited, came to see us the following day. The accounts thev
had received from their Families, on their return home in the
evening, having suggested to them one advantage to which our
knowledge of their language might be applied, and which was
to translate into that of their present masters the subjects of
some disputes then existing among them. The opportunity
was one of much promise, with regard to our desire of be-
coming better acquainted with their character ; and the re-
mainder of the day was passed in listening to their various
statements, and in drawing up the following petitions.

" The petition of Kerswan, Kutan of Murzon.

" I gave my Daughter Pilluvani to Wife, to Phori Pinpurz,
Kutan of Koron, about fifteen years ago. She was then seven
years of age ; and I gave with her a portion of four buffalo
kine, two of which were of a superior kind, and their milk

n n

402 NOTES.

drawn only for sacred purposes. Some seven or eight years
subsequent to the above period, Pinpurz, and Swalt Khak-
hood, Kutan of Pirkon, came to me and asked my sanc-
tion for Pilluvani to be Wife to the latter as well as to the
former.

'* To this I agreed, and, as is customary, Khakhood presented
me with a buffalo. About a year subsequent to the latter
period, Pinpurz, Khakhood, and Phori Tumbut, Kutan of
Koron, came to me and begged I would sanction Pilluvani 's
being Wife to Tumbut also. This I agreed to, and Tumbut
presented me with a buffalo. After my Daughter Pilluvani
had also become the Wife of Tumbut, Pinpurz borrowed from
him, at different periods, the sum of one hundred and twenty
rupees. It is now about a year ago that Pinpurz refused to
allow Pilluvani to be Wife either to Khakhood or to Tumbiit,
and at the same time refused to give them the customary

equivalent. These two therefore complained to Mr. ,

who directed that the business should be investigated by a
Panchayet, composed of individuals from the several Norrs.
This Panchayet awarded that Pilluvani was to be Wife to
Pinpurz Kutan only, but that he was to pay to Tumbut
ninety rupees, in adjustment of all demands; and to present
to Khakhood eight buffalo kine. To this award Pinpurz has
hitherto refused compliance, although he will not allow Pillu-
vani to be Wife to any one but himself; and he has now com-
plained to the . The conduct of this Pinpurz is so

infamous that I will not allow my Daughter Pilluvani to be
Wife to him any longer. I stated this my determination to
the Panchayet, but was overruled by them. I now reclaim
my Daughter, and petition that she may be returned to
me."

In a subsequent part of the work the Author gives another
version of the same case, as stated by Pinpurz, the following
extract from which may prove interesting, as being farther
illustrative of our subject : —

" Now, according to our customs, Pilluvani was to pass the

XOTES. 403

first month with me, the second with Khakhood, and the third
with Tiimbut ; and the two latter, waiting in succession on the
Father-in-law, were to ask his blessing, and claim their privi-
lege in right. I was to give her raiment, the first year, Khak-
hood the second, and Tumbut the third. I had the option of
claiming the three first children, Khakhood the second three,
and Tumbiit the third three, &c. &c.

* * ********

" We all three should have been equally bound to protect
the whole of the Children, to marry and to give them in
marriage ; but the superior authority would always have rested
with me. The case of Pilluvani, and myself, however, was
at variance with this custom. We were fond of one another,
and determined not to separate. I offered to pay the usual
fines, but the other party would not accept of them," &:c, &c.
At the conclusion of the narrative the Author says —
" The above detail led to some questions from us, and we
learnt that a Woman, besides this plurality of Husbands, may
have as many cicisbeos, but with this proviso, that it must be
with the consent of those to whom she is already contracted,
— a consent which is not generally refused ; but that a Man
can only be contracted to one Woman. He may, however,
be the cicisbeo of many."

" Our hero found himself sprawling on his back in the
bottom of the ravine." — Page 58, line 11.

My Brother, George Campbell, of the Bombay Civil Ser-
vice, was the person who made this extraordinary escape from
a Tiger. The adventure is related exactly as it occurred —
even to the last long shot at the Tiger — with this one excep-
tion, that the Tiger was not in the act of charging any one
at the time the fatal bullet reached him. The wonderful
escape of Old Lorimer is also a fact, although it occurred on
a different occasion.

Here are two similar instances of youthful rashness, selected
from amongst many recorded in my Brother's Journal : —

n D 2

404 NOTES.

" Dummul, 26th September. — A Tigress killed and com-
pletely devoured a Buffalo which was tied last night in the
same nullah where we killed the Man-eater a few days ago.
The unhappy brute, fastened as a bait, must have sold his life
dearly, for the traces of a deadly struggle were manifest, and
the neck appeared to have been dislocated, not, as usual, by
the fatal wrench, but by repeated gripes. The long tusks of
the Tigress's jaw had left many a deep impression in her victim's
throat, and the ground, torn by claws, and ploughed up by
hoofs, showed that the fight must have been a long one. The
Tigress, although completely gorged, passed the Elephant, at
the top of her speed, before the first rocket had ceased to
smoulder in the covert where she had been lying. A succes-
sion of roars, and that indescribable shrinking, as the ball hits,
made us feel satisfied that she was wounded, although she
continued her long lobbing gallop, without showing any signs
of weakness. A signal being made, from a tree, that she had
lain up, we were soon at the spot, a very thick place on the
side of the nullah. We could hear her growling inside of the
bush, but from the howdah it was impossible to see her; and,
when we found it in vain to attempt stirring her up, I dis-
mounted, and, under cover of the Elephant, peeped in. There
she was, looking very sick, and disgorging large masses of
undigested flesh, mingled with her own blood. Her position
preventing me from hitting either head or shoulder, I gave
her both barrels in the back, and got under the Elephant's
trunk, just in time, for she charged at me instantly. A rifie
was now handed down from the howdah, and as the Tigress
lay watching me, with her head between her fore-paws, I took
her betwixt the eyes, which shone like emeralds, and ' put
out the light.' She died, without a struggle, in the same
position."

" Hungul, 24th December. — We have just returned from
a very pretty day's sport, having killed a fine male Tiger, that
held out for many hours before the coup-de-grace was ad-
ministered. A labourer, in walking through a bed of chillies.

NOTES. 405

came suddenly upon a Tiger, crouching among them, and ran
to our tents with the intelUgence." Here follows a long
description of the hunt, during which the Tiger was several
times wounded, and at last laid up in a thick clump of reeds,
on the edge of a small stream. " I now went up to finish
him, having a double rifle in my hand, pistols in my belt,
and a double gun carried by a Peon, who engaged to stand
firm. The Tiger commenced growling as we approached,
and charged out, with a loud roar, when we were within
about five yards. But the stream was between us, and he
fell into the water sorely wounded, receiving both balls from
my heavy rifle the instant he burst from the covert. He tried
to swim towards me, dyeing the water with his blood, and I
was obliged to finish him with the pistols, my valiant follower
having bolted with the spare gun. After a few desperate
struggles to keep above water, he sank and disappeared. We
got him out, and found that he had been hit by the first
volley, through the shoulder, in two places, and close to the
heart by another ball ; a fourth had hit him near the spine ;
and there were two other wounds in his hind quarters, besides
the fatal shots which finished him — two in the chest, and one
behind the ear."

" And have no fancy to be haunted by your ghost novj
that you are dead." — Page 61, line 16.

The Natives of India have a superstitious belief, that unless
the whiskers of a Tiger are singed off immediately after he is
killed, his ghost will haunt those who have been accessary to
his death.

" Deer Stalking and Ibex Shooting on the Neil-
GHERRY Hills." — Heading of Chapter, page 62.

The Deer found on the Neilgherry Hills is the Samber, or
Black Rusa Deer (Cervus Aristotelis). He is a noble
animal, nearly as large as the Elk, and indeed is generally so
called by European Sportsmen in the Madras Presidency. 1

406 NOTES.

unfortunately neglected to make any memorandums of the
size and weight of this animal, and can therefore only say, in
a general way, that a full grown Stag stands about fourteen
hands and a half — or five feet — at the shoulder, and weighs as
much as a moderate sized ox.

A head now in my possession measures as follows : —

Ft. In.
Length of skull . . . . 15^

Breadth between eyes . . . .06

Circumference of the burr . . . 0 11

Circumference of horn above the brow antler . 0 7^
Length from tip to burr along the curve . 2 9

Distance from tip to tip . . .27

He is found all over India, and in the Jungles of the Low
Country is said to grow to the height of sixteen hands. This
I can believe to be the case, from the immense size of some
heads I have seen, although I have never met with a specimen
myself, either on the Hills or in the Low Country, that ex-
ceeded fourteen hands and a half in height. The horns are
as large, in proportion to the size of the animal, as those of
the common Red-deer, and are nearly of the same form, diflPer-
ing only in this respect, that although they annually increase
in size, they never acquire more than two antlers — the brow
antler, and another near the top of the beam. The neck and
shoulders of the male are covered with long shaggy hair, sus-
ceptible of being raised like the mane of the Lion, which gives
the animal a very grand appearance when excited. The sub-
orbital sinus is very large, and both Males and Females have
canine teeth in the upper jaw, like those of the Horse. The
Stag is very strong and vicious, and stands resolutely at bay
when wounded and unable to escape. The Natives declare
that he frequently attacks the Bison, and that they have wit-
nessed desperate encounters between them. At the time I
visited the Neilgherry Hills in 1833, Deer were so numerous
that they used to come into the gardens at night ; and in
beating for Deer with a party of ten guns, I have killed as

.NOTES. 407

many as three, besides a Wild Boar, to my own share, within
a few miles of the Cantonment.

Regarding the Ibex, I find the following remarks in my
Journal : —

" The animal to which I have given the name of the Ibex

of the Neilgherries is, without doubt, either a variety of Ibex,

or Wild Goat, although the very inapplicable title of Chamois

has been bestowed upon it by Madras Sportsmen ; and I am

inclined to believe that it is a variety which has hitherto

escaped the notice of Naturahsts. But this point I must leave

to be decided by a better Naturalist than myself. He is a

large animal, with a short stout body, and stands very high in

proportion to his length. The male animal, from which my

description is taken, measured as follows, immediately after

death : —

Ft. In.

Height at the shoulder . . .40

Length from point of nose to end of tail . 6 5

In figure he very much resembles the common Goat of India ;
but is much larger, and stouter, in proportion to his height.
His horns are evidently those of an Ibex; — the section of
them forms a triangle, flat and smooth on the inside, the
anterior angle acute, and the other sides rounded off, and
marked with transverse wrinkles, deep in front, and shaded
off gradually towards the rear. The horns are nearly in con-
tact at the base, and from hence they curve backwards,
gradually diverging, till at the points they are about five
inches apart. The length of the horn is ten inches. The
nose is considerably arched, like that of a Highland Ram.
The general colour of the animal is a dark ashy gray above,
and white below, with a dark line along the back. The eye
is surrounded by a spot of fawn colour, and the cheeks, fore
part of the face, and muzzle are deep brown. The fore part
of the legs is dark brown, and the hinder part white. There
is a large callous spot on the knees, surrounded by a fringe of
hair. The hoofs arc large, coarse, and blunted — the hair

408 NOTES.

short and thick, and of coarse texture, hke that of the Indian
Goat ; and the male is furnished with a stiff upright mane on
the neck and shoulders. The smell of the animal is particularly
strong and disagreeable, like that of an old Buck Goat. They
generally go in herds of eight or ten, and are only to be found
amongst the wildest precipices, on the rocky summits of the
Koondah range, or the precipitous Ghats which overlook the
Low Country. The strength and agility with which they
bound from rock to rock is perfectly amazing in so large an
animal. They are so exceedingly shy, that it requires the
greatest skill and perseverance to get within shot of them,
and their favourite haunts being almost inaccessible to the foot
of man, the pursuit of them is attended with great difficulty
and fatigue, and even with danger, particularly if the Hunter
is so unfortunate as to be overtaken by a fog. The female
differs from the male in having more slender horns, no mane,
a finer head, and being without the brown marks on the face.

" Now I can only find two animals to which this descrip-
tion will in any way apply, viz. ' The Caucasian Ibex,' and
' The Beardless Goat.' But in several particulars, the Ibex
of the Neilgherries differs from either of them.

" Let us first take the Caucasian Ibex, as described in the
enlarged English edition of Cuvier's Animal Kingdom. He
agrees with our animal in colour, in his general figure, in the
Jorm of his horns, and in his habits. But he differs greatly in
size, being only about five feet long, and two feet eight inches
high at the shoulder, whereas the Ibex of the Neilgherries is
six feet five inches in length, and stands four feet at the
shoulder. The horns, also, although formed alike, in both
animals, do not exceed te7i inches in the Ibex of the Neil-
gherries, whereas in the Caucasian Ibex, — a much smaller
animal, — they are described as being twenty -eight inches in
length.

" The Beardless Goat is described as bearing a strong re-
semblance to the Caucasian Ibex, and, in so far, agrees with
the general description of our animal ; he has also got the

NOTES. 40.9

ram-like head, and the mane on the neck. But he difters in
having a dewlap, which is wanting in the Ibex ot" the Neil-
gherries, and in his colour, which is said to be variegated
black and white irregularly scattered.

" Whether these distinguishing marks entitle this animal to
be classed as a new variety ot" Ibex, is a question which I
must leave for Naturalists to decide. In the mean time I con-
sider myself justified in changing its name from the ' Cha-
mois,' to the Ibex of the Neilgherries."

" And this with seven balls through his body .'" —
Page 75, line 6th.

This is no exaggeration. The incidents narrated in the text
are taken, verbatim, from a Journal, kept by my Brother on the
Neilgherry Hills. In my own Journal I find an instance re-
corded of a Stag receiving ten 1 oz. balls before he fell. Two,
which he received at first, without even slacking his speed,
passed clean through his body, about the centre of the ribs.
After this he ran about a mile, and laid up in a wooded ravine
to which I tracked him, and again beat him up; one ball
broke a hind-leg, and another, entering above the rump, passed
along the backbone and came out near the shoulder. I lost him
for about an hour, but again found him, and when he broke
cover I planted two balls close behind the shoidder, but still he
went away strong. In the chase which followed I hit him twice
in the body, and at last brought him down by a ball through
the neck, when in the act of leaping a rivulet. He, however,
got upon his legs again, and stood at bay in the water, when
I was obliged to fire another ball into his head to finish him.
I could quote a dozen similar instances of the extraordinary
tenacity of life possessed by this animal.

" Burgher Village." — Page 75, last line of page.

In a former note I have given a description of the Todahs,
the aborigines of the Hills. We must now take some notice
of the Burghers, who, although a more numerous, and more

410

NOTES.

wealthy tribe than the Todahs, still look up to them with
respect, as the acknowledged Lords of the soil, and pay to
them a small annual tribute for the land which they cultivate.
The Todahs, on the other hand, look upon the Burghers as an
inferior race, calling them Marvs, or labourers. They call
themselves {par excellence) men ; and the question — " Is
that a Burgher or a Todah ?" would, with them, be literally
— Is that a Labourer or a Man ?

I extract the following description of the Burghers from my
Journal : —

" The next class of People who inhabit the Hills are the
Burghers. They are an Agricultural People, and although
considerably more civilized than the Todahs — who are a
purely pastoral Tribe — they acknowledge them as superiors,
and pay to them a small annual tribute of grain for the lands
which they cultivate. They are a people who have migrated
to the Hills from the Low Country, from whence they say
that their ancestors were driven, by the oppression of their
Chiefs, about four hundred years ago. In size they do not
exceed the natives of the Low Country, and their personal
appearance is very inferior to that of the Todahs. Their dress
is formed of the same materials as that of the Todahs, but is
less gracefully arranged, and the head is covered by a turban.
The ground in the neighbourhood of their villages is always
well cultivated, and, I beheve, they raise a considerable quan-
tity of grain. Their mode of salutation is for the inferior to
apply the top of his head to the breast of his superior, who
immediately raises it up with both hands ; — this has a very
ridiculous eflPect, and looks as if they were butting at each
other. The men are allowed to have as many Wives as they
can afford to keep. The women have the power of divorcing
their Husbands at will, after which they can marry again, and
are allowed to repeat this as often as they choose. Their lan-
guage is a corrupt dialect of Canarese. They burn their dead,
but I am not aware what particular ceremonies are made use
of on the occasion."

411

" It is a melancholy story." — Page 86, line 12.

The tragical fate of the poor Dog-boy, here narrated by
Mansfield, is a fact.

" In the midst of our sport a large Panther sprang
from the bushes." — Page 86, line 29.

I extract the following remarks upon the Panther, or
Leopard, of India from a book of MS. notes by my Brother.

" The Panther, of which certainly two, and, in the opinion
of some Sportsmen, three varieties are found in India, is
scarcely less formidable than the Tiger. Its inferior strength
is compensated by greater agility, and the extreme rapidity
of its attack renders it, in my opinion, a still more dangerous
animal to encounter on foot. Of the many fatal accidents
which have come under my notice, as great a number was
occasioned by Panthers as by Tigers. It is generally found
in rocky ravines, or thickly wooded hills, and from the nature
of its haunts, as well as its skulking habits, till once brought
to bay, is difficult to mark down, and to surround when
tracked to its lair. The description already given of the
system pursued in Tiger shooting, applies equally to the
hunting of this animal. Both are followed on Elephants, or
beat up and shot from trees. Panthers have, on several
occasions, been speared from horseback, but the serious acci-
dents which have occurred, and which are always likely to
occur in so very dangerous a sport, have prevented its be-
coming a general practice even amongst the most daring.

" I cannot pretend to offer, what has puzzled the greatest
Naturalist to determine, viz. a definition of the distinction
between those varieties of spotted Cats, which have been in-
discriminately designated Panther and Leopard. I shall
merely remark, that I have compared different individuals,
amongst which I observed variations of colour and size,
which lead me to suppose that they must belong to separate
species.

412 NOTES.

"Some nearly equalled a Tigress in size. Of these, the
ground colour was a pale fulvous ; the spots, rose-shaped, were
distinctly apart from each other over the sides, gradually
amalgamating towards the back, down which they appeared
to form a thickly studded line. Towards the shoulders the
spots decreased in size, and imperceptibly changed their form,
into small round dots, on the cheeks and fore-legs. This
species is exceedingly fierce, and powerful enough to kill the
largest cattle. It must have been one of these to which a
correspondent of the ' Oriental Sporting Magazine' alludes, in
the following words : —

" ' I killed a Panther at Kirmar, in the Deccan, which mea-
sured upwards of nine feet, and a more savage and fearless
animal I never saw : he charged, and struck down a Villager
who was close to me, and held him down, till I killed the
brute upon him. The unfortunate man, although dreadfully
torn and shaken as a dog would a rat, is still alive, but with
the loss of an arm.'

" The other variety which I noticed is much more common.
In size it is at least a third smaller than the preceding, less
strongly made, and less ferocious. Its prevailing colour is
much darker, the ground being of a rufous tint. The rose-
shaped spots, so close as to be almost united, are thickly
studded over the whole body, except on the head and fore-
legs, where, as in the preceding animal, they form small dots.
Both are generally called Panthers by European Sportsmen,
and Cheetah, by Natives ; the Hunting Leopard {Felis
Jubata) being the only animal in India known by the appel-
lation Leopard.

" So much has already been said of the Tiger, that I shall
conclude this article with the relation of an incident which
occurred near the station where I resided. A Panther having
killed a Bullock was traced by a party of Shikarees into a
garden. The men advanced cautiously, with their matchlocks
loaded, and one of them was in the act of taking aim when
the Panther charged ; he fired, and slightly wounded the

NOTES. 413

animal, who instantly struck him down by a blow on the head,
that killed him on the spot, — and springing from the shoulders
of one to another, without once touching the ground, lace-
rated three dreadfully, before they had time to raise their
guns. He then crouched in a small bush, where he lay
growling at the people, who were hesitating how to act. It
was at last proposed, by a daring young fellow, to fire a volley
into the bush, and then run in upon him with their swords.
To this proposal all assented, and advanced to within ten
yards, blowing their matches. Out of six of their miserable
weapons, two only exploded, and they probably were harmless
in their effect. The Panther dashed out, as if thrown among
them by the impetus of some projectile engine, and the nearest
man was pulled down like a child in a giant's grasp. The
swordsmen, assisted by some Peons, armed with spears, rushed
to the rescue, and literally hewed the Panther to pieces with
their heavy sabres. But seven men were carried from the
ground at the conclusion of the conflict ; of these, two never
spoke again."

" Charles and the Doctor returned to the road, dragging
along their snake in triumph." — Page 97, line 23.

This adventure with a snake was achieved by my Brother
and myself in our early griffinage, in the Canara forest : and
in those unsophisticated days was looked upon by us as an
exploit no ways inferior to Sir Guy's famous victory over the
Dragon of Wantley. The incidents are narrated in the text
exactly as they occurred, my Brother having performed the
part of Charles, and I that of the Doctor.

" Bison Shooting." — Heading of Chapter, page 100.
The Great Forest, which extends along the western coast
of the Peninsula of India, being the only part of the world
in which that rare animal, the Indian Bison, has hitherto been
found, and the extreme wildness of the animal, together with
the unhealthy nature of the jungle which he inhabits, rendering
the pursuit of him a work of considerable difficulty, and even
of danger, his name has not, till of late years, found its way

414 NOTES.

into the pages of Natural History ; and even now the animal
is only known, by name, to the Naturahsts of Europe ; no
perfect specimen having ever been brought to this country.

The only account I can find of the animal is in the notes,
by Edward Griffiths and others, to the English edition of
Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, and here only two authorities are
quoted; the Mem. du Mus. d'Hist. Nat., vol. ix., in which
this animal, under the name of Gaour, is absurdly described
(upon the authority of some English Sportsman, whose name
is not given) as having the vertebrcB of the withers projecting
externally ; and Mr. D. Johnson's Sketches, &c., in which
the following description of the animal is given. I quote the
passage as it appears in Cuvier's Animal Kingdom : —

" In Mr. D. Johnson's Sketches, &c. the Gaur is described
as a sort of wild bullock of a prodigious size, residing in the
Ramghur district, not well known to Europeans, That Gen-
tleman continues : — ' I have never obtained a sight of them,
but have often seen the print of their feet, the impression of
one of them covering as large a space as a common China
plate. — According to the account I received from a number of
persons, they are much larger than the largest of our oxen ;
are of a hght brown colour, with short thick horns, and in-
habit the thickest covers. They keep together in herds, and
a herd of them is always near the Luggo-hill ; they are also in
the heavy jungles between Ramghur and Nagpoor, I saw
the skin of one that had been killed by Rajah Futty Narrain ;
its exact size I do not recollect, but I well remember that it
astonished me, never having seen the skin of any animal so
large. Some Gentlemen of Chittrah have tried all in their
power to procure a calf Avithout success. The Shikarees and
Villagers are so much afraid of these animals, that they cannot
be prevailed on to go near them, or to endeavour to catch any
of their young. It is a prevailing opinion in the country, that
if they are in the least molested, they will attack the persons
disturbing them, and never quit them until they are destroyed,
and should they get into a tree, they will remain near it for
many days.* "

NOTES. 415

This account is tolerably correct as far as it goes, but it is
not sufficiently explicit.

During five years which I spent in India, I have more than
once had the good fortune to fall in with, and shoot the Bison
in his native haunts.' — And although my knowledge of Zoo-
logy is very limited, I trust that even the following undigested
memoranda, noted down in my jungle encampment, may
prove interesting to such of my Readers as are more deeply
versed, than I am, in that interesting study.

" The Indian Bison,* Gaour, or Jungle Koolgha, {Bos
Gaurus,) is the largest known animal of the Genus Bos.
The following are the accurate dimensions of two specimens,
male and female, which I have just killed. The measure-
ments were taken immediately after death, and without fol-
lowing the curve of the body. The length was taken with a
tape, between two upright sticks, one placed at the nose, and
the other at the insertion of the tail ; the height was measured,
in like manner, from the spurious hoof of the fore-leg, to the
top of the shoulder, the length of the foot being omitted, to
allow for the diminution of the length of the limb, which
would be occasioned by the weight of the animal when
standing : —

Height at the shoulder
Height to top of dorsal ridge
Length from nose to insertion of tail
Girth of body behind shoulder
Girth of fore-leg, above the knee
Girth of neck
Breadth of forehead

* The following remark upon the name Gaour appears in Griffiths'
notes to Cuvier's Animal Kingdom : — " This name of Gaour, or Ghau-ur,
originating in Central India, shows how far the root ur, urus, is
extended. Gaur, a giant ; Ghaur-ur, the gigantic, ancient, mysterious,
terrible ox."

Ft.

In.

Ft. In.

Bull, 6

1

Cow,

. 5 5

6

5

5 10

. 9

0

8 5

8
. 2

0
6

2 0

4
. 1

3
3i

416 NOTES.

" I had no means of weighing the animals, but judging from
the weight of the Bull's head, which was as much as two men
could carry, slung between them on a bamboo, it must be
enormous.

" The head is more square, and shorter in proportion than
that of the common Ox, and the nose, particularly in the male
animal, is considerably arched, like that of a ram. The fore-
head is broad, the frontal bone slightly concave, and sur-
mounted by a thick arched ridge of solid bone, which is
sufficient, of itself, to distinguish the skull of the Indian
Bison from that of any other animal of the same genus. The
horns turn slightly backwards, and upwards, with a sweep,
in continuation of the arched bony ridge. They are of a light
gray colour, tipped with black, rather short, and exceedingly
thick at the base. The forehead, above the eyes, is covered
with a thick coat of short close hair of a light dun colour,
which, below the eyes, runs into a dark brown, approaching to
black. The muzzle is large and full. Eye rather small, with
a large pupil of a light blue colour, which gives the animal
a very remarkable appearance. The tongue is extremely
rough, and covered with sharp papillae, which turn back-
wards. The pallet, which is white, is also armed with papillce.
The neck is short, thick, and heavy, and, in the male, is
covered with large folds of skin. The skin on the neck,
shoulders, and thighs, is nearly two inches thick, and is much
prized by the natives, for the purpose of making shields. The
dewlap is small in the male, and hardly perceptible in the
female. The shoulder very deep, and muscular. Chest
broad. Fore-legs short, and the joints particularly strong.
Fore-arm extremely large and muscular, but the leg, below
the knee, fine hke that of a deer. Hoofs small, black, and
finely formed. Behind the neck, and immediately above the
shoulder, rises a thick fleshy hump like that of the Zebu, and
from this commences the dorsal ridge, which forms the most
striking feature in the appearance of this animal, and is a
peculiarity which I have not remarked in any other. The

NOTES. 417

ridge, which is about two inches thick, and of a firm gristly
texture, is about six inches in height at its junction with the
hump, and gradually diminishes to the height of three inches,
at the point where it terminates abruptly, a little beyond the
centre of the back. The hind quarters, as in the common
Bison, droop considerably, and the tail is short, the tuft of hair
at the end not reaching below the hocks. The young ani-
mals are covered with a short thick coat of woolly hair, which
becomes more scanty with age, and, in very old animals, the
back and sides are nearly bare, showing a dark shining skin,
like that of the Buffalo. The colour of the animal is a dark
coffee brown, which becomes gradually lighter, till it terminates
in an ochrey yellow, on the belly and inside of the thigh. The
legs below the knee, and the forehead above the eyes, are dirty
white, or rather a light dun colour. The female differs from
the male, in having the hump on the shoulder hardly percep-
tible, horns less robust, finer and more graceful head, slender
neck, hardly any dewlap, and in the dorsal ridge extending
less far back, not beyond the middle of the back.

" The Bison inhabits the heavy forest jungle, along the whole
line of the western coast of India. They generally go in herds of
from ten to fifteen, and are found in the morning and evening,
in the small open glades of the forest, where they feed, during
the night, on the rich grass and tender shoots of the bamboo,
which spring up in these spots, after the monsoon. They retire
for shelter, during the heat of the day to the thickest recesses
of the forest, where it is very difficult to find them. The native
Hunters say that the Cow goes nine months with young, and
drops her calf in November, for which purpose she retires to
the more open jungles, on the outskirts of the forest, to the
eastward. In the month of May the old Bulls are generally
found sohtary.

"The Bison is naturally a fierce animal, and particularly so
when wounded. If not brought down or disabled by the first
shot, he almost invariably charges, and I have known instances
of his being the first to commence hostilities. They are much

E E

418

NOTES.

dreaded by Native Hunters, more so even than the Tiger —
indeed there are few, except the Seedees, who will venture to at-
tack them on foot, and I have met with many who refused even
to act as guides in those parts of the forest which they frequent.
The description of Bison Shooting, in the body of the work,
gives a correct idea of that sport. The incidents are narrated
exactly as they occurred to myself, with this exception, that,
having no companion but the Jemmadar, I was obliged to
finish the Bull without assistance.

" He is a Seedee' — Page 101, Hne 9.

A wild race who inhabit the jungles on the western coast
of India are called Seedees. They are evidently of African
origin, and are said to be descendants of African slaves, who
fled from the early Portuguese settlers at Goa, and took
refuge in the jungles. They are fine bold fellows, and the
only Shikarees I have met with, who care to attack the
Bison.

" Allow me to introduce my friend Kamah, the Jemmadar."
—Page 103, line 10.

The following extract from my Brother's Journal, gives a
good description of the old Savage as he appeared in his holi-
day garments, on my first introduction to him at Dharwar: —

" Dharwar, May 1831.
" Old Kamah showed his grinning visage in camp yester-
day, looking as much out of his element in the open country,
as one of his Bison would be, were he removed from the forest,
and turned loose in the black plain. His long woolly hair
fluttering behind his ears, from beneath the greasy skull-
cap that covered the frizzled mass ; the sharp eye, keen as a
falcon's — one redeeming point in his African features ; the
independent manner; the springy step, lean wiry figure,
and national costume of a spare langoutee, and ample blanket
thrown across his shoulders ; the long black matchlock, and
well worn crease, marked old Kan, ah, the Jemmadar and

NOTES. 4-19

bloodhound of the forest. He was actually, from instinct,

following up the trail of R 's tame Deer, as he entered

the compound ; and could not resist giving his wild * whooh!'
like the cry of a horned owl, as it cantered past him. The
old Savage had come in as usual, with accounts of game
swarming in the forest, and a lament that brandy was not to
be had at Dandilly, His eloquence always overpowers me,
for the very sight of his sporting visage recals scenes of Bison
glancing through the green bamboos ; Samber, with their noble
antlers, clearing their path through the interwoven jungle ;
the graceful Axis wandering in painted herds, along the
banks of the Black River ; and recollections of the many happy
hours spent in their pursuit, amidst the eternal forests of
Canara. Well did he know his powers of seduction ; and the
production of a pair of gigantic horns, the trophies of his last
successful shot, settled the matter at once. I gave him a
bottle of brandy to comfort him by the way, on his return,
and promised to meet him at Dandilly."

" The ball had Jlattened against the massive skull of the
animal.'' — Page 112, line 7.

The skull of the Bison is fully two inches thick, and I have
known several instances of the bullet flattening upon it, al-
though, as a general rule, one may calculate upon a well-
directed shot in the forehead proving mortal. I once lost a
Bison after having planted an ounce ball directly between his
eyes, when in the act of charging. He dropped, apparently
dead, with a stream of blood pouring down his nose, but before
I could reload he had recovered himself and made off. I
tracked him for some miles by the blood, but never saw him
again.

" Bear Shooting." — Page 115, Heading of Chapter.

The Black Bear of India ( Ursus Labiatus) is frequently
described as a harmless animal, but this is quite a mistake.
For although he feeds principally upon roots and insects, yet

E E 2

420 NOTES.

from mere wantonness he frequently becomes a most savag6
and dangerous animal, seizing his victim generally by the
head, and inflicting wounds which seldom require the Surgeon's
aid. My Brother shot one which had inhabited the same
cave for many years, and was the terror of a tribe of shep-
herds who fed their flocks on the hills near his haunts.
During the month previous to his death he had killed three
men, besides attacking and wounding several others.

On the march from Belgaum to Dharwar, my Brother and
I sent on our spare horses a stage during the night. They
were attacked by Bears, the Horsekeepers wounded, and one
of the horses so severely injured that his life was despaired of
for many days.

During my residence on the Neilgherry Hills, a Beater, in
driving the woods for Deer, was attacked by a Bear, and
killed on the spot, his chest being torn open so as to expose
the lungs.

I could adduce many other instances of ferocity to prove
the accusation I have made against the Bear of India, but I
think the above will be sufficient to justify me in bringing in a
verdict of guilty against him.

" A Wet Night under Canvass." — Page 142, Heading of
Chapter.
This chapter is a presumptuous attempt, on my part, to give
an idea of one of the grandest sights in nature, the breaking
out of the North-west Monsoon among the Western Ghats of
India. I have often witnessed it, and it has each time im-
pressed me with renewed feelings of wonder and admiration.
A good explanation of the causes of this phenomenon will be
found in the " Encyclopaedia Britannica," under the head
" Meteorology."

" Bushing the tent-pegs.'' — Page 143, line 2'2.
This operation is performed, on the approach of heavy rain,
by digging a hole near the tent peg, and burying in it a bunch
of brushwood, which is fastened to the peg. This not only

NOTES. 421

helps to secure tlie peg by its own resistance, but acts as a
sort of drain, and prevents the water from saturating the
ground, so as to make the pegs draw.

" Riding down a Wolf and an Antelope J" — Page 152,
line 3.

These two extraordinary feats were performed, exactly as
described, by my Brother, George Campbell, of the Bombay
Civil Service. I never knew another instance of an Antelope
having been fairly ridden down ; and, previous to his having
done so, the thing was considered impossible. I have heard
of one or two other instances of a Wolf having been speared
from horseback, but only after he had gorged himself with
food.

" Charles, who was the last of the party, happened to spy
the head and antlers of a noble spotted Buck." — Page 167,
line 10.

The Spotted Deer of India (Cervus Axis) nearly resembles
the Fallow Deer, but is distinguished from it by having round
horns, without the terminal palm. One antler arises at the
base which points forwards, and another half way up the beam,
on the internal side which turns to the rear. The suborbital
sinus is small, and the canines wanting. They go in herds of
fifteen or twenty, three or four of which are generally Bucks.
They pass the greater part of the day in sleep, when it is
difficult to find them, but in the morning and evening they
may be found in great numbers in the open glades of the
forest, and among the long grass on the banks of rivers. They
are extremely shy, and when once disturbed it is hardly pos-
sible to get a second shot at them. A four year old Buck
weighs about 178 lbs.

" The Doctor's body was perfectly uninjured/' —
Page 185, line 14.
This extraordinary adventure with a Wild Elephant occurred
in the forests of the Coimbatoor district, at the time I was

422 NOTES.

upon the Neilglierry Hills, The person who made so narrow
an escape, was a gentleman of high rank in the Company's
Civil Service. I have narrated the facts exactly as they were
told to me, by an eye-witness, a few days after they occurred.

" The Banshee:'— V^Lge 196, line 23.

A female Spirit peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland, and
to Ireland. She attaches herself to particular families, and is
heard wailing and lamenting round the house, previous to the
death of any of its members.

" Cowrie baskets." — Page 210, line 25.

Circular baskets, covered with oilcloth, in which provisions,
&c. are carried on a march. One is suspended from each end
of an elastic slip of bamboo, which the bearer balances across
his shoulder.

" Boar-hunting." — Page 222, Heading of Chapter.

The following remarks upon this noble sport are taken from
a book of MS. Notes by my Brother, who was one of the best
riders in the Deccan, and has seen as much of Hog-hunting as
any man in India.

"If excitement be the test by which to estimate the com-
parative merits of any sport. Hog-hunting mUst rank before
every other. Try it by another standard, its universal popu-
larity, the enthusiasm of its followers, and the preference given
to it in a country Avhere the Tiger even is less noticed than
the Boar, and it must be granted that there is some peculiar
fascination in this noble sport. Men who have followed hounds
at home, and shared in all the field sports of Europe and Asia,
talk of it with rapture ; and such a scene of animation, of
generous rivalry, and true sporting feeling as is exhibited at
the great hunting meetings surpasses any thing I have ever met
■with elsewhere. One word in explanation of rivalry, lest I
should mislead. Killing a Boar is quite a secondary conside-
ration to taking the first spear. This is the powerful incentive

NOTES. 423

which causes the keen excitement of Hog-hunting, while
men are strugghng, as if for life or death, to draw first blood.
There must be an antagonist to conquer as well as a Boar to
overcome, and a true Sportsman would scarcely value the
fastest run, ending in a brilliant death, without an opponent
to ride against him for the spear of honour. The slightest
touch that stains his blade with one crimson drop is enough.
He is said to h^ve killed the Hog, and the others who assist
in despatching him, even he who gives the death-blow to a
furious Boar at bay, claim no share in the honour which be-
longs exclusively to him who first drew blood. The influ-
ence of this feeling makes men ride with desperation be-
yond what the best contested steeple-chase, or the hardest
struggle for the lead with hounds generally exhibits.

" Those who have never seen a Wild Boar could hardly
credit his speed. Upon a dead plain, like a race-course,
a fast Arab cannot overtake a lanky, outlying Boar, with
a start of fifty yards, in less than half a mile. Con-
ceive, then, what such an animal can do across a country
cut up by deep ravines, many not practicable except
by an in and out jump. These the Boar can cross
much quicker than the cleverest horse can follow, and his
bottom is so great that unless you can press him hard enough
to blow him, he will run for ever. Hog are generally found
in the worst part of a difficult country, and they invariably
select a line abounding in obstructions. Nullahs with blind
banks, steep rocky descents, thorny jungles which nearly tear
the rider from his horse, and frequently nail his boots to his
legs, are the usual variations of ground, which, even in its best
parts, frequently resembles a plate covered with walnut shells.
Over this country the game little Arab is pressed at his utmost
speed, spurs clashing to get one more stride out of him — no
holding — no craning — you may throw him down, but you
must go your best, be the ground what it may. When the
Boar is overtaken, after a long run, then comes the thrilling
moment, if a man worth beating is at your haunches. The

424' NOTES.

spear is perhaps quivering within an inch of the mark, and
every nerve is strained to gain that inch, although, perhaps,
your good honest horse has done his best, and answers only
by a groan to every stroke of the spur. Your rival is coming
up — his horse's head reaches your knee — he creeps nearer,
nearer — every thought is absorbed in one whirling maddening
feeling, the thirst of conquest. The two foaming Arabs are
neck and neck, panting with fatigue, yet still struggling with
the same spirit of rivalry as their Riders. — First one head is in
front — then another — Oh, for one yard more and the deed
were done ! — Spears are lengthened to their utmost stretch —
a blade disappears, is withdrawn, dimmed with blood — and the
spear is won ! — If a Boar is reached before he gets blown, he
turns with great rapidity as soon as the leading horse is within
a few paces of him, throwing him out, and making him lose
much ground, even when well in hand, and turning readily.
The second man then prepared to make his rush frequently
takes the spear ; but it sometimes happens that half a dozen
riders are thus baulked, in succession, by a speedy Hog, before
the contest ends. By this time being usually too much blown
to run farther, the Boar stands at bay, and charges every one
who approaches. — It is at this period of the chase that horses
are apt to get ripped, without good management. Going
slowly at the Boar is very dangerous, for not only may a miss
occasion an accident, but even if you spear him through the
body, he can run up the shaft, and tear the horse's entrails
out. But with a steady, bold horse, you have no right to
expose him to any great danger. Go at the Boar, at a smart
gallop, and, as he meets you, strike straight down, while he is
under your right stirrup, and whether you kill him dead or
not, your speed will generally save you by wheeling off at the
moment of delivering the spear.

" Fox-hunting and Hog-hunting have often been com-
pared. I never could trace the resemblance. Can you
compare a sport where you hunt and kill your game with-
out the assistance of dogs to one in which they do both ?

NOTES. 425

Can you compare the wild mad struggle for a mile or two,
at the utmost pace of a fiery Arab, to the steady gallop of
an hour or more, with Foxhounds? — Can you compare the
chase of a Boar, an animal that has frequently been known
to kill a Tiger, that stands at bay as soon as he gets blown,
that fights to the last gasp, and displays more ferocity in his
charge, and more determined courage in his last moments,
than any other animal I have ever encountered, with that of
the Fox, which runs perhaps for twenty miles, and then dies
a poor broken-hearted devil, torn to pieces by a hundred jaws ?
— No, no ! the sports are totally different, and require very
different qualities both in man and horse. The Hog-hunter of
the Deccan would be as much out of his element at Melton,
as Dick Christian would find himself on the Poonah Hills, with
a gray Boar in front, rattling down one of the steep ravines,
and a dozen men of the right sort laying into him at a killing
pace, over ground where an English hunter would knock
himself to pieces.

" The favourite covers for Hog are fields of sugar-cane, bau-
ble jungles, date groves, and ravines upon the sides of hills.
Those which feed on sugar-cane become too fat to run far ;
but the Boars are extremely savage, always charging as
soon as they are blown, whilst some refuse to run at all,
standing at bay as soon as they are driven into the plain.
The best Hog, for speed and bottom, are those found on
the hills ; they are always in good wind from the distance
they have to go daily, in quest of food, and although hardly
so pugnacious as their fat brethren of the plain, they afford
better sport than any others. Hog are found nearly in the
same way as Tigers, by marking them down as they return
from feeding, or by following up their trail to the cover where
they repose dyring the day. They are very numerous in
some parts of the country, and do extensive mischief to the
grain, from which the Natives are unable to drive them with-
out the assistance of large parties. A hundred and fifty Hog
have been killed at one meeting, which lasted for twelve days."

426 NOTES.

" Now for the spear of honour. '" — Page 230, line 24.

I have already, in the preceding note, sufficiently explained
what is meant by the spear of honour. The following extract
from my Brother's Sporting Journal, affords a curious instance
of taking a spear cleverly. After describing the first part of
the run, he thus continues : —

" By the time we had forded the nullah, the Boar was a full
mile ahead, making strong running for a distant cover, across
a country admirably adapted for showing the difference be-
tween a real Hunter, and a thing to canter on a parade ground.
The nullahs were so numerous, that an in and out jump
occurred at every hundred yards, and it required most deter-
mined cramming to keep the Boar in sight at all. The pace
was beginning to tell. S pulled up lame. R 's long-
legged dragoon, from not being quick enough in getting over
the nullahs, was a long way behind. And the Boar was
champing his foaming tusks with very little running left in
him, when I came up, after a gallop of four miles. He tried
to throw me out by practising some of his cunning tricks in
a ravine, and I feared now that chance might lose me the

spear, for R was coming up, hand over hand, whilst we

were playing at hide and seek. However, I caught him at
last, by cutting off his retreat to the bank, and he stood at
bay. Challenger, now pretty well blown, poked out his little
sturdy fore-legs, refusing to move an inch, whilst the Boar,
with his back to a bush, planted himself directly in front,
gnashing his tusks, and twinkling his fiery gray eye, just out

of reach. R was spurring up his sinking horse close

behind. I shall lose the spear, after all, from the brute's
obstinacy. There was just a chance remaining. Reaching
over my horse's neck I made a long stretch and succeeded in
pricking the Boar's snout. On he came like lightning. I
threw myself back, reversed my spear, and just as he was
under my right stirrup, a straight job, between the shoulder-

NOTES. 427

blades, sent him down with a stream of blood and foam gusli-
ing from his mouth.

" ' Just in time !' cried R as he galloped up, — ' T thought

I might have had it yet.' "

" The Man-eater." — Page 248, Heading of Chapter.

The term Man-eater is applied to those Tigers, which, de-
serting their usual haunts in the jungle, frequent the neigh-
bourhood of Villages, and prey chiefly on men. They are
almost invariably found to be old animals, and generally
females. They are usually very cunning and cowardly.

The following remarks upon the Tiger, written by my Bro-
ther, may prove interesting : —

" It was my lot to be stationed, for several years, in a re-
mote part of our Indian possessions, adjoining the Mysore
frontier, and in the immediate vicinity of the great chain of
Western Ghauts. In the pathless thickets of their eternal
forests, untrodden by the foot of Man, the Tigress reared her
young, and wandered, with her savage partner, into the smaller
jungles of the plain, proving a scourge that drove every feel-
ing of security from the humble dwellings of the wretched
inhabitants.

" In such a country, inhabited by the poorest classes, living
jn small villages surrounded by jungle, and forced to seek their
subsistence amongst the Tiger's haunts, numerous casualties,
of course, occurred, and I had frequent opportunities of study-
ing the habits, and witnessing the ravages of this formidable
animal. Some idea may be formed of the havoc committed
by Tigers, when I mention, from returns made to Government,
that, in one district, three hundred men, and ^ve thousand
head of cattle were destroyed during three years.

" Whilst confined to the forest, the Tiger is comparatively
harmless. There, feeding principally on deer, he rarely en-
counters Man, and when the solitary Hunter does meet the
grim tyrant of the woods, instinctive fear of the human race
makes the striped monster avoid him. But in the open coun-

428 NOTHS.

try he becomes dangerous. Pressed by hunger, he seeks his
prey in the neighbourhood of villages, and carries off cattle
before the Herdsman's eyes. Still he rarely ventures to attack
Man, unless provoked, or urged to desperation. But under
whatever circumstances, human blood is once tasted, the spell
of fear is for ever broken ; the Tiger's nature is changed ; he
deserts the jungle, and haunts the very doors of his victims.
Cattle pass unheeded, but their driver is carried off; and
from that time the Tiger becomes a Man-eater.

" A notorious old Tigress, which I assisted in killing some
years ago, used to lie in wait near the ford of a rivulet, daily
crossed by travellers, and after carrying off several mail-
bearers, she became so dreaded, that the road which passed
her haunt was deserted. For years she had frequented the
same covert ; repeated attempts had been made to destroy
her ; she had been caught in nets, and pit-falls, but always
escaped ; and, at last, she became so cunning as to baffle
the most experienced Hunters of the district. In the course
of a tour through the province, accompanied by a friend,
we encamped close to the scene of her depredations. Our
Shikarees, always on the look-out for information of Tigers,
heard of her, and most fortunately hit upon her trail next
morning. It was followed up, into a small, but impene-
trable clump of brushwood on the banks of the rivulet,
which was surrounded so effectually as to render escape
impossible, till our Elephant arrived. He was a very good
one, and beat the thicket, inch by inch, wherever it was
practicable ; wading through masses of interwoven creepers,
and tearing down trees which opposed his progress, without
once hearing a growl, or observing a symptom of our game.
Finding that we could not thus dislodge her, the Elephant
was withdrawn, and showers of rockets, and other combusti-
bles, were thrown into the covert, whilst we posted ourselves
on a tree, which commanded a view of the whole clump. It
was soon in a blaze, and when the whole had become one vast
sheet of flame, the heat grew so intolerable, that we were

NOTES. 429

obliged to abandon our post. My friend had already reached
the ground, and I was in the act of dropping from a branch,
when the Tigress burst from the midst of the flames, lashing
her sides with lier tail, and roaring furiously. We fired, and
broke her leg by a rifle ball. Fortunately she did not charge,
for we were both completely in her power. She appeared
stupified by the smoke, and crept into a date bush, where she
lay concealed till we remounted the Elephant. We found
her lying like a hare in its form, in which position she received
several shots, without making the slightest show of resistance.
Nothing would induce her to charge, and, after skulking from
one extremity of the thicket to the other, the fatal shot was at
last administered. This Tigress evinced, both in appearance
and disposition, all the marks of a true Man-eater. Her skull
bore the traces of great age, the sutures being unusually closed,
and the teeth worn nearly to stumps. She was not much
larger than a Panther ; her fur was mangy ; and her lean gaunt
figure seemed diseased by the human flesh on which she fed.

" I recollect another instance of a Man-eater obstinately
remaining in a small patch of jungle, till it was burnt down
around him. We could see him, completely exposed, sitting
on his haunches, surrounded by fire ; his hoarse roar rising
above the fierce crackling of the flames ; his glaring eyeballs
rolling from side to side, watching the rockets which fell thick
around him ; his natural size magnified in the intense glare
of light ; and his brilliant colours glowing with unnatural
brightness. At last the heat became intolerable — The flames
scorched him — Uttering a roar that startled even the old
Shikaree who stood beside me, he sprang, with one tremendous
bound, over the blazing barrier, and dropped dead the instant
he alighted. In both these cases rockets were used unsparingly,
without forcing the Tiger to quit his strong-hold. But, in
general, fireworks prove most effectual in beating up Tigers,
and the strongest covers may thus be driven, without exposing
the Beaters to any danger.

" To give an idea of the muscular strength possessed by a

430 NOTES,

Tiger, I shall mention two remarkable instances, from among
many that have come under my observation. A Bullock was
killed by a Tiger near our encampment, on the banks of the
Tumboodra, in a field enclosed by a hedge of prickly pear,
about six feet high. The carcass, still warm, was observed
by some persons, who brought intelligence to the tents. On
going to the spot we found the carcass of the Bullock, partly
devoured, on the outside of the hedge ; not a branch was ruf-
fled, and the only clue to account for its removal were the
deeply impressed foot-prints of a large Tiger, where he must
have sprung over the barrier with his prey in his jaws. The
impossibility of the Bullock having been carried there in any
other way, alone convinced us, otherwise we could not have
believed that an animal weighing under 600 lb. could have
exerted such prodigious strength. I have weighed many
Tigers, and found that full-grown males attained the weight of
500 lb. ; larger specimens might probably be found, but I
should think that none exceeded 600 lb. Any one who has
studied the anatomical structure of the Tiger, would, however,
more readily believe the power he can exert. The fore-leg is
the most beautiful piece of mechanism conceivable, measuring
upwards of two feet in circumference, and displaying a mass
of sinew and muscle to be found only in that most formidable
weapon of the most agile and destructive of all animals. His
jaws, neck, and shoulders evince corresponding strength; and
if it be considered that the Cattle of India are, in general, less
heavy than a Tiger, this extraordinary feat appears less im-
possible.

" The other instance to which I alluded was the following :
— Four very fine large Oxen, harnessed in the same team, were
destroyed by a Tiger, while their owner was driving them in
the plough. He described their death as the work of a few
seconds. When in the act of turning his cattle, at the end
of a furrow, a Tiger sprang from some bushes on the leading
Bullock, broke his neck by a single wrench, and before the
other terrified animals could disengage themselves, all were

NOTES. - 431

overcome in the same manner. Their owner fled to a tree,
from whence he saw the monster finish his work of death, and
then trot back to the jungle, without touching the bodies, as
if he had done it from mere love of slaughter, and not to
satisfy the cravings of hunger. I saw the Bullocks imme-
diately after they had been killed ; one of them had been
thrown backwards with such force, that his horns were driven
a considerable depth into the ground.

" It is a common opinion, and as a general rule correct,
that Tigers, in their wild state, devour only what they have
killed. But there are exceptions. A Peon, in my employ-
ment, who was watching a jungle, at day-break, observed a
Tigress, with four Cubs, feeding upon a Buffalo which had
died of disease on the preceding day. We killed the Tigress
some hours afterwards, and saw from the Buffalo's torn re-
mains that the man's account was correct. Still more unusual
was a circumstance which occurred in Kandeesh. An Officer
stationed there having shot a Tigress from his Elephant, sent
out people, on his return to camp, to bring home the spoils.
To his astonishment they came back, declaring that the Tigress
was still alive, and that she had charged them as soon as they
came in sight. So incredible a story was laughed at ; but
to satisfy the people the Gentleman returned, with an Ele-
phant, to the spot, and was amazed to find a second Tiger
greedily devouring the body of the first. This one also was
shot, after a desperate resistance.

" All the Cat tribe are remarkable for their tenacity of life,
and this alone is sufficient to render Tiger shooting on foot a
most hazardous attempt. Allowing that a man has sufficient
confidence in his own nerve to permit a Tiger to approach
quite close, in the certainty of hitting him between the eyes,
he is still far from safe. Any old Sportsman can assure him
that a ball through the head is not certain to stop a Tiger. I
have, myself, seen two, run a considerable distance, and even
charge an Elephant, after receiving a ball in the forehead.

" Fatal accidents too often occur from men heedlessly ap-

432 NOTES.

preaching a fallen Tiger. A Madras Sepoy was killed some
years ago, whilst measuring a Tiger which had just dropped,
apparently dead. The expiring brute struck at him, and
fractured his skull by one blow of his tremendous paw. And
it is only a few months back that an Officer of a Native
Regiment was struck dead by a dying Tiger under precisely
similar circumstances. I recollect another instance of a poor
fellow who was rendered a cripple for life, in the same way.

" It is a curious fact that Tigers never attempt to climb,
although their form appears peculiarly adapted for doing so.
Their great weight may perhaps prevent them ; but, more
probably, the nature of the animals on which they prey pre-
cluding the necessity of resorting to this means for seizing
them, they do not employ the power which they possess.
One Shikaree, whom I knew, was pulled down from a tree
by a Tigress, and killed ; but he was not at a sufficient
height from the ground to require any great exertion to reach
him ; and I believe, that had he been two feet higher, he
would have been quite safe.

" I have frequently shot very savage Tigers from trees, at
an elevation of not more than nine feet from the ground, but
never saw any attempt to climb, although they saw plainly
from whence the shot was fired.

" A circumstance occurred, in the Southern Mahrattah
Country, while I was there, which shows how a wounded
Tiger singles out the man who fires at him. A Tiger was
found in a small patch of jungle, near camp, by a party of
Shikarees who had been out looking for Hog. They sur-
rounded the place, and blazed away with their matchlocks
till sunset without doing much harm. The Tiger, slightly
wounded, was lying in the middle of the thicket ; and there
he remained, answering every shot by a roar that deterred
any one from approaching near enough to take a pot shot.
Well, when they could no longer see the muzzles of their long
barrels, these sagacious fellows resolved to squat round the
cover all night, determined, if the Tiger did not die before

NOTES. 43^

morning, to make him * eat some more bullets' as soon as it
was light. It was getting very dark, and somewhat cold.
One of the Shikarees proposed to smoke, and while the poor
fellow was indulging in a long whiff, that made the chillum
glow brightly, a rush was heard from the bushes, a roar rang
in their ears, and the Tiger was among them. The ill-fated
smoker, with the pipe to his lips, was smashed by a blow,
like the stroke of a sledge hammer, and away went the Tiger,
roaring through the stillness of the night. It is evident that
the Tiger, observing the light, fancied it to be the flash of a
matchlock, and rushed to revenge himself on his adversary.

" In countries well stocked with Cattle, Tigers prey almost
entirely upon them. Even the huge Buffalo falls beneath his
strength, when taken by surprise; but, when prepared, he
resists, and, not unfrequently, beats off the aggressor. In
herds, Buffaloes, far from fearing the Tiger, are the first to
attack. I have been assured, by Herdsmen, that they never
felt the least alarm, even in the most dangerous jungles, whilst
their Buffaloes were feeding by them, for no Tiger dared to
molest them. I remember a poor little Boy, who had charge
of a number of fine Buffaloes, that used to graze in a valley
frequented by a very savage Tigress, and four cubs. She
had repeatedly tried to carry him off, but, in every instance,
the faithful bnites which he tended rushed to the rescue, and
drove her off. One day, whilst playing with another Boy, at
some distance from his cattle, the Tigress, with her cubs, was
seen approaching. They ran towards the Buffaloes, who charged
in a body as soon as they perceived their enemy ; — but it was
too late. One of the Boys was overtaken, and his terrified
companion saw him carried off to the jungle, and devoured
on its edge. He came to our tents with the melancholy in-
telligence, begging of us to destroy the Tigress, which we did
next day ; and, to our surprise, on reaching the ground, we
found this fearless Boy following his Buffaloes with perfect un-
concern, through the thickest part of the jungle. He said he
was not afraid ; he had only to keep close to this Bull — point-

434 yoTiis.

ing to the leader of the herd — and no Tiger in India would
venture to attack him."

The natural history of the Tiger is so well known that it is
unnecessary for me to make any further remarks upon it here.
But although I have already extended this note to rather an
unreasonable length, I must add a few words regarding the
size of Tigers. We constantly hear of Tigers measuring
twelve and fifteen feet in length, and I lately saw an account
of one, which was said to have measured tiuenty-four feet !

But, during a residence of five years in India, I never met
with a Tiger that exceeded ten feet in length, from the point
of the nose to the end of the tail ; and although I have been
at some pains to collect information on this subject, I never
could obtain any authentic account of a Tiger exceeding
eleven feet in length. I subjoin the dimensions of an average
sized male Tiger, which I measured myself, with great accu-
racy, a few hours after his death : —

Length from point of nose to point of tail

Length of tail ....

Height, from heel to shoulder .

Extreme length, from shoulder to point of toe

From elbow to point of toe

Girth of body, immediately behind the shoulder

Girth of fore- arm

Girth of neck ....

Circumference of head .
I conclude that the measurements of the fifteen feet Tigers we
hear of have been taken from raw hides, stretched out to their
utmost extent ; and that the enormous size of my friend of
twenty-four feet, must be attributed to some mistake of the
Printer.

" The Sacked Village." — Page 274, Heading of Chapter.

The description of the Island of Sevasamoodrum, Rhamas-
wamy's house, and the Falls of the Cauvary, as well as the

Ft.

In.

9

5

2

10

3

2

3

11

2

0

5

3

2

7

3

0

3

3

xoTEs. 435

Hindoo legend relating to them, are given as I find them in
the pages of my Journal, written on the spot.

" Behold that far winding processioyi J" — Page 284, line 16,

Since writing the above I have been fortunate enough to
become possessed of a rare and curious old book, entitled
" The Voyages and Adventures of Ferdinand Mendez Pinto,
a Portugal, done into English by H. C. Gent, a. d. 1663."
Pinto being a great traveller avails himself of a traveller's
license to a large extent, and tells marvellous tales of " An-
thropophagi and men whose heads do grow beneath their
shoulders" — so much so indeed, that he has obtained for
himself the honourable distinction of " The Prince of Liars."
But the greatest romancer will occasionally stumble on a bit
of truth in spite of himself, and accordingly our travelled
friend gives an account of an Indian religious feast, which is
described in such delightfully quaint language, and, — barring
a few exaggerations, which it was not in his nature to avoid —
so nearly what we see at the great festival of Juggernaut to this
day, that I cannot resist the temptation of transcribing it.

Our Author sailed from Portugal, a. d. 1537, and, after a
most disastrous voyage, arrived in India. In the course of
his travels, in that Country, he visits " The great Temple or
Pagode of Tinagoogoo," and in the LVI Chapter, page 218,
thus describes the feast : —

" Whilst the Feast of these Gentiles, as also the Fair,
which was kept all the time thereof, endured for the space of
fifteen days, with an infinite concourse of Merchants and
Pilgrims, that came flocking thither from all parts, as I have
declared before, there were many sacrifices made there with
different ceremonies, not a day passing without some new thing
or other. For amongst many of great charge, and very worthy
of observation, one of the chiefest was a Jubile, after their
manner, which was published the fifth day of the moon,
together with a Procession, that was above three leagues in
length, as wc could guess; it was the common opinion of all,

I- F 2

436 NOTES.

that in tliis Procession there were forty thousand Priests, of
the four and twenty sects, which are in the Empire : most of
them were of different dignities, and called Grepos, Talagre-
pos, Roolims, Neepois, Bicos, Sacarens, and Chanfaranhos ;
now by the ornaments they wear, as also by the devices and
ensigns which they carry in their hands, they may be distin-
guished ; and so every of them is distinguished, according to
his dignity ; Howbeit, these went not on foot as the other
ordinary Priests, for that they were as this day forbidden
upon pain of great sin to tread upon the ground, go that they
caused themselves to be borne in Palaquins, or Arm-chairs,
upon the shoulders of other Priests their inferiors, apparelled
in Green Sattin, with their Stoles of Carnation Damask. In
the midst of the ranks of this Procession were all the inven-
tions of their Sacrifices to be seen, as also the rich Custodes
of their Idols, for the which each of them had a particular
devotion. They that carried them were clothed in yellow,
having each of them a big wax candle in his hand ; and
between each every fifteen of these Custodes went a triumphant
Charet, all which Charets put together were in number an
hundred and twenty six. AH these Charets were four and some
five stories high, with as many wheels on either side ; In each
of them there were at the least two hundred persons, what
with the Priests and the Guards, and on the top of all, an
Idol of Silver, with a Mitre of Gold on his head, and all of
them had rich chains of Pearl and precious stones about their
necks ; round about every Charet went little Boys, carrying
silver maces on their shoulders, and between them were a
many of caskets full of exquisite perfumes, as also divers
persons with Censors in their hands, who ever and anon censed
the Idol to the tune of certain instruments of musick, saying
three times with a lamentable voyce. Lord asswage the pains
of the dead, to the end they may praise thee peaceably ;
Avhereunto all the people answered, with a strange noise;
Such may thy pleasure be and so may it come to pass, every
day wherein thou showest us the sun. Each of the Charets

XOTES. 437

was drawn by above three thousand persons, who tor tliat
purpose made use of very long cords, covered with silk, and
thereby gained for themselves plenary remission of their sins,
without restitution to be made of anything at all : Now that
they might participate in this absolution, by drawing the cords,
they set their hands to it, one after and close to another, con-
tinuing doing so to the very end, in such sort that the whole
cord was covered with their hands, and nothing else to be
seen ; but that they always which were without might gain
this indulgence, they helped those that had their hands on the
cord, by putting theirs about their shoulders ; then they that
were behind them did the like, and so, consequently, all the
rest. In this manner throughout the whole length of the cord
there were six or seven Banks or Files, and in each of them
about five hundred persons. This Procession was environed
with a great number of Horsemen, that carried staves with
pikes at both ends, who, riding all about, went crying to the
people, which were infinite in number, that they should make
way, and not interrupt the Priests in their prayers : Many
times, also, they struck those so rudely whom they first met
withal, as they beat down three or four together, or hurt them
grievously, no man daring to find fault with, or so much as say
a word against it. In this order this marvellous Procession
passed through above one hundred streets, which to that end
were all adorned with boughs of Palms and Myrtle, amongst
the which were many Standards and Banners of silk planted ;
There were also many Tables set up in divers places, where all
that desired it for God's sake were admitted to eat of free-
cost ; yea, and in other parts they had clothes and money
given them ; There likewise Enemies reconciled themselves
one to another, and the rich men forgave them their debts
which were not able to pay. In a word so many good
works were done there, more proper for Christians than
for Gentiles, as I must needs conclude, that if they had
been done with Faith and Baptism, for the love of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and without any mixture of the things

438 NOTES.

of this World, assuredly they would have been acceptable
unto him. But alas ! the best was wantmg in them, and
that both for theirs and our sins. Whilst the Procession,
together with the Charets in which the Idols were, passed
along in this manner, and that with a dreadful noise of Drums
and other such Instruments, behold where out of a certain
wooden shed, made expressly for the purpose, six, seven,
eight, or ten men, all besmeared with odours and wrapped up
in silk, wearing Gold Bracelets about their Wrists, start forth
all at once, and room being instantly made for them by the
People, after having saluted the Idol which was on the top of
the Charet, they went and laid themselves down athwart on
the ground, so that the wheels coming to go over them crushed
them all to pieces, which the Assistants beholding, cried out
aloud together — My soul be with thine. — Presently where-
upon nine or ten of the Priests descending from the Charet
took up these blessed, or rather accursed, creatures, that
sacrificed themselves in this sort, and putting the head, bowels,
and all the other members so crushed in pieces, into great
Bowls made for the purpose, they showed them to the people
from the highest part of the Charet where the Idol stood,
saying with a pitifull voyce — Miserable sinners, fall ye to
praying that God may make you worthy to be a Saint as this
here is, who hath now offered himself up as a sweet smelling
sacrifice. — Whereunto all the People, prostrated on the
ground, answered with a fearful noise. We hope that the God
of a thousand Gods will permit it to be so. In this manner
many other of these poor Wretches sacrificed themselves, to
the number, as we were told by certain Merchants worthy of
credit, of six hundred and more. After these followed other
Martyrs of the Devil, whom they called Xixaporans, which
sacrificed themselves before the said Charets, by most merci-
lessly slashing themselves with sharp razors, that to behold
them how they did it, one could not think but what they were
altogether insensible; for they cut off great gobbets of their
flesh, and holding them on high at the end of Arrows as if

NOTES. 439

they would shoot them up to Heaven, tliey said, That they
made a present thereof to God for the souls of their Fathers,
of their Wives, of their Children, or of such an one for
whose sake they did this wicked work. Now wheresoever
this gobbet of flesh chanced to fall, there ran so much people
to catch it up, that oftentimes many were stifled in the press,
for they held it as a very great Relick. In this sort these
miserable Wretches stood upon their feet, all bathed in their
own blood, without Noses, without Ears, and without the
resemblance at all of a man, untill at length they fell down
stark dead on the Earth ; then came the Grepos in all haste
down from the top of the Charet, and cutting off' their heads,
showed them to all the people, who kneeling on the ground,
and lifting up their hands to Heaven, cried out with a loud
voyce — Let us, O Lord, live to that time wherein for thy
service we may do as this same here hath done. There were
others also whom the Devil drew thither after another manner.
These same, craving an Alms, said, Give me an alms for
God's sake, or if thou dost it not I rvill kill my self. — So
that if they were not presently contented, they would instantly
cut their own throats with razors which they held in their
hands, or stab themselves into the belly, and so drop down
stark dead ; whereupon the Grepos ran suddenly to them, and
having cut off" their heads, showed them, as before, to the
people, who reverenced them prostrate on the ground. We
likewise saw some named Nucaramons, men of a very ill look,
clothed with Tyger's skins, and carrying in their hands certain
Pots of Copper full of Excrements, and filthy corrupt Urine,
the stench whereof was so horrible and insupportable, that it
was not possible for any nostril to endure it ; These craving
an Alms of the people, said. Give vie an Alms, and that
quickly, otherwise I will eat this Ordure which the Devil
eats, and bespatter thee with it, that so thou mayst be ac-
cursed as he is. They no sooner uttered these words but that
all ran hastily to give them Alms ; for if they stayed never so
little, they straightway set the Pot to their mouths, and taking

4 iO XOTRS.

a great sup of the stinking stuff, they therewith all to bedasljed
such as they pleased ; in the mean time all others that beheld
them so dressed, holding them accursed, fell upon them, and
entreated them in such a strange fashion, as the poor Wretches
knew not which way to turn themselves ; for there was not a
man of the company that drove them not away with blows,
and that railed not at them, saying ; That they were accursed
for having been the cause that this holy man had eaten of
this beastly Jilth which the Devil foeds upon, and therefore
was become stinking before God, so that he could neither go
into Paradise nor live amongst men. — Behold how strange
the blindness of the people is, who otherwise have judgment
and wit enough" *******

" As for the Image of Tinagoogoo it was placed in the midst
of the Temple, upon a stately Tribunal, in the form of an Altar,
environed with a number of Silver Candlesticks, and a many
of Children attired in Purple which did nothing but cense it
to the sound of Instruments of Musick whereupon the Priests
played reasonably well. Before this Idol danced, to the tune
of the said Instruments, certain Ladies which were wonderfull
fair and richly clad."

In another place, talking of the Dancing Girls, our Author
thus quaintly expresses himself.

" Then began the Women to play on Instruments of Musick,
and six of them danced with little Children for the space of
three or four Credo's. After that other six little Girls danced
with six of the oldest Men that were in the room, which
seemed to us a very pretty fantasticalness."

There is, I think, something delightfully primitive in worthy
Pinto's method of computing time, and his concluding remark
is surely the very perfection of simplicity.

After this long stretch of almost unadulterated truth, I feel
it would only be doing justice to my travelled friend, to bring
forward a few specimens of the marvellous, in support of his
well-earned character for stupendous mendacity. But as my
limits will not permit me to indulge myself so far, I must leave

-^

.VOTES. 441

such of my Readers as have a taste for the wonderful in
nature, to seek out the immortal Romancer himself, with this
assurance, that, if they are fortunate enough to meet with
him, they may indulge their fancy to the fullest extent.

" A chance shot at an Antelope or a Bustard." —
Page 274, line 10.

The common Antelope is found in great numbers on the
open plains, in almost every part of India. They afford good
sport to a man who is gifted with patience, and can stand
fatigue, but their extreme shyness, and the open nature of the
ground which they inhabit, renders it so difficult to approach
within shot of them, that there are few who take the trouble '
of acquiring that intimate knowledge of the animal's habits
which is absolutely necessary to ensure success. The various
devices employed in approaching Antelope are too numerous
to be described here. But the following extract from the
Journal of my Brother — who was the most successful and
indefatigable Antelope stalker I ever knew, — will serve to
give some idea of the extreme difficulty of approaching
this animal.

" Sudegee, 1st November. — Antelopes were seen all along
this morning's march, twelve miles from Hookerry, chiefly
upon a barren, stony soil, very different from their usual haunts
to the eastward. I found them shy, and apt to run long dis-
tances when disturbed, before they settled again to feed.
Some of the herds were unusually large, containing not less
than sixty individuals. After following one of these herds for
a considerable distance, without getting within shot, it joined
another equally numerous. Both went on together till they
met a third, when there must have been, at least, one hundred
and twenty Does, and twenty black Bucks, besides Fawns,
collected in one spot, forming the most beautiful group of
Antelope I have ever seen. As their numbers increased, they
became more shy, led on by an old suspicious Doe, which
kept bounding along in .front, and never allowed the main

442 NOTES.

body to halt. Occasionally a pair of Bucks would leave the
ranks to settle a private feud by a passage at arms, but they
never engaged in earnest, so as to allow me to creep up,
and pick off one of the combatants. They led me in this
way from the plain where I had first found them, within
sight of Sudegee, nearly back to Hookerry, a distance of
twelve miles, gaining fresh recruits at every feeding ground
they passed. The fights among the males became more
frequent as they pressed up against each other, and seve-
ral pairs would stop at once, to engage, some on their
knees, with horns interlaced, others racing up to each other,
and tilting with lowered heads, till all the Bucks, becoming
infected with a fighting mania, selected antagonists, and the
plain was covered with contending pairs, whilst the Does and
Fawns watched against surprise. This internal discord proved
their ruin, as it has often done among Men as well as Ante-
lopes. I kept gradually edging nearer, keeping carefully out
of sight of the old skittish Doe, who was jealous of every
moving object, and, with the assistance of some broken ground,
stole up within a hundred yards of two pugnacious fellows
who were too busily engaged to mind me. One dropped to
the shot, hit through the shoulder, so fatally, that he was dead
before I reached him. His companion dashed off towards the
herd ; and all, throwing up their heads together, broke away
into their long striding gallop, naver stopping till they ap-
peared like white specks on the horizon, leaping up from the
cloud of dust raised by their bounding hoofs."

The Indian Antelope stands considerably higher than the
Roebuck, and is altogether a larger animal. The horns,
eighteen inches to two feet in length, are twisted spirally
and annulated to within a few inches of the point. The old
males are nearly black above, and white on the belly
and inside of the legs. The females, which are without horns,
are a light fawn colour above, with a whitish line running
horizontally along the side, and white beneath. The young
males are, at first, of the same colour as the females, but be-

NOTES. 443

come gradually darker with age, till they attain their full growth,
when they are, as I said before, nearly black. — An average
sized black Buck weighs about ninety pounds, a Doe about
seventy-five pounds. The male of the Gazelle, a smaller spe-
cies of Antelope, also found in India, averages about sixty-
two pounds, and the female about forty-seven pounds.

Bustard frequent the same sort of ground as Antelope, and
are approached much in the same manner. The Cock weighs
about twenty-two pounds ; the Hen from eighteen to twenty
pounds.

" Tiger Hunting at the Falls of the Cauvauy." —
Page 289, Heading of Chapter.

During my visit to the Falls of the Cauvary, I encountered
a Tiger in the manner described in the text, and tried to sur-
round him with nets, which is the method of hunting practised
in that part of the country. But the nets not being sufficiently
numerous to surround his lair, and the Beaters having failed
to drive him in the proper direction, he escaped without get-
ting into them. The latter part of the adventure is therefore
pure invention ; but it might have happened.

My Brother, in his Journal, gives the following description
of this method of driving the Tiger into nets : —

" A curious method of killing Tigers, practised by the
Natives of the Wynad Country, deserves notice. When one
of these animals is discovered, the cover in which he lies is
enclosed by a net, supported upon bamboos of a sufficient
height to prevent his leaping over them. All being prepared,
the Villagers, headed by their Priests, surround the outside of
the net, armed with long spears, and, provoking the Tiger to
attack them, meet him as he charges, and pierce him through
the meshes of this apparently feeble, but impassable barrier,
till he falls. A Gentleman, who was present at one of these
scenes, describes it as most interesting, and exciting in the
highest degree ; for there existed the appearance of imminent

444 NOTES.

danger, although, in reality, it was almost impossible for the
Tiger to reach his assailants,"

" Wi' that wee towsie tyke sitting on he?- back, as con-
ceity as you please." — Page 357, line 20.

The female Bear is in the habit of carrying her young on
her back, and when attacked, frequently charges with a fierce
little brute of a Cub standing upright on her shoulders, and
showing his teeth as savagely as the mother. This, as the
Doctor remarks, has a very absurd effect.

" Kelpie." — Page 386, line 5.
A Water Spirit, said to haunt fords and ferries at night.

THE END.

William SUveiis, Printer, Bell Vard, Temple Bar.

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