hich, feeling elastic as steel, I towelled,
and began to dress.

"Why, hallo, Dost," I said, as I saw that the man was trembling, "what's
the matter? Not ill?"

"No, no, sahib; quite well, quite well!" he cried hastily.

"But you are not," I cried. "You are all of a shiver. Let me give you
something."

He shook his head violently, and kept on reiterating that he was quite
well.

"Come, out with it, Dost," I said. "You are not deceiving me. What is
the matter?"

He looked round quickly, and I could see that the poor fellow evidently
was in great alarm about something.

"Master always good to Dost," he said.

"Of course I am, when you are good and attentive to me. Is my rifle
ready?"

"Yes, sahib. Dost afraid for his lord."

I laughed at him, though I felt touched, as I grasped what he seemed to
mean.

"You coward!" I said. "Do you think the first tiger I see will get
into my howdah and maul me?"

He nodded his head, and looked more nervous than before.

"And that I shall be a job for Dr Danby, and you will have to nurse
me?"

He bowed his head again.

"Then you would like me to stop, and not go to the tiger-hunt?"

"No, no, sahib," he cried excitedly, and I smiled again at him, as I
thought that it was very doubtful whether Ny Deen and his other men were
in such anxiety about Barton.

Dost hung about me with the greatest of solicitude as, fully equipped at
last, I made my way to where the buggies and their attendants were in
waiting. It was very dark, and it was only by the light of the lanterns
that I made out who was there, and saw Brace, the doctor, and a quiet
gentlemanly lieutenant of ours named Haynes.

Just then the major came bustling up, his genial nature having urged him
to leave his comfortable bed, and come to see us off.

"All here?" he cried. "You'll have a glorious day. Needn't have taken
rifles; the rajah would have everything for you, and better pieces than
your own, I dare say. Wish I was going with you."

"Why not come?" said Brace.

"No, no! Don't tempt me; I've quite work enough. Some one ought to
stay."

"I will stop with pleasure," cried Brace.

"No, no, my dear boy; we settled that you should go. I'll have my turn
another time."

"But really--" began Brace.

"Be quiet, man!" cried the major. "You are going. Keep an eye on
Vincent here, and don't let a tiger get him. He can't be spared."

"I dare say we shall be in the same howdah," replied Br