e must hold together like--like--well, like Britons. Here, I've
something else for you to think about. I've had a messenger over from
the nawab. A couple of man-eaters have been doing a lot of mischief a
few miles from his place, and he wants some of us to go over very early
to-morrow to rid the country of the brutes. Perhaps I shall go too."

The thoughts of such an exciting expedition soon drove away those of the
trouble, and upon the major making the announcement, it was at once
discussed, while in imagination I pictured the whole scene, ending with
the slaughter of the monsters, and their being brought home in triumph
upon a pad elephant.

"I thought so," the major whispered to me with a chuckle; "that has put
them both in a good temper. I did think of going, but I shall send
them."

I went across the square to my bed that night, full of thoughts of the
expedition, and not far from my quarters came upon three figures in
white, talking eagerly together, but ready to start apart when they
caught sight of me, and salaam profoundly. "Ah, Ny Deen," I said.
"Fine night."

"Yes, sahib," he said in his soft low voice. "Does the sahib go to the
hunt to-morrow?"

"How did you know there was to be a hunt to-morrow?" I said sharply.

"There are orders to have the buggies ready, sahib, before day."

"Oh," I said. "Then your master is going?"

"No, sahib; he stays with the men."

"I don't think he does," I said to myself, as I went into my quarters,
where I gave orders for all my shooting things to be put out; and then,
after making sure that I should be called in time, I dived in behind the
mosquito curtains, so as to get all the rest I could, and in half a
minute was sleeping heavily, but not until I had repented leaving the
mess-room without saying "good night" to Brace, Barton having gone some
time before, as he was on duty that evening.

I scarcely seemed to have fallen asleep before a hand was laid upon my
shoulder.

"Master's bath and coffee ready," said a voice; and I looked up to see
by the light of a lamp that my man Dost was gazing down at me, with the
curtains held aside, and a curiously troubled fixed look in his face.

"Time to get up already?" I said.

"Yes, sahib," he said hurriedly. "All the other gentlemen call and get
up."

"All right," I said; and springing out, I stepped into my tiled
bath-room, and had myself refreshed with some chatties of cold water
poured over my head, after w