ace, but submitted willingly to having his arm washed and the wounds
tied up.

They proved to be only superficial; but, all the same, they were four
ugly scratches down the fleshy part of the man's left arm, while over
his right shoulder there were three more marks, which had bled pretty
freely; and now, as I stood by helpless myself, I listened as he told
the attendants how he was slowly journeying, thinking of staying by the
first well, as the sun was growing hot, the tiger suddenly sprang out at
him, alighting upon his back, and sending him down insensible. That he
had come to, struggled up, and was on his way again, sick, but eager to
get away from the edge of the forest, when the tiger had appeared again,
creeping from tuft of grass to bush, tracking him, he said, as a cat
does a mouse, and always threatening to spring.

For long enough this continued, till at last it sprang, after the poor
fellow had suffered that most intense agony of dread. As the tiger
sprang, he in turn had involuntarily crouched, holding the sword before
him, so that the savage beast leaped right upon it, as it struck him
down, deluging him with blood, and then uttering a snorting yell as it
bounded away again amongst the low growth of the forest-side.

He rose and continued his retreat, but the beast appeared again, still
skulking along near the track, and threatening to spring, but with a
rush back it had plunged into some dry grass; and had not reappeared as
he staggered on, faint with terror, till he had caught sight of one of
my attendants, and run on here, to fall completely exhausted.

They led the poor fellow away as, after seeing that he was out of
danger, I turned from him in disgust, and soon after was seated at my
morning meal.

"How is the old man?" I asked Salaman. "Have you given him a bath?"

"Oh no, my lord."

"A few chatties thrown over him ought to do him good."

"But he is a holy man, my lord. He would be ready to curse us, if we
did so. He has not washed for years."

"He looked it," I said. "But why?"

"Who knows, my lord? Perhaps he had sworn an oath. He is one of the
blessed."

"Will he go on to-day?"

"No, my lord. He will stay till he is strong enough to go. It is a
blessing on our camp for him to be here, and the tiger must have been
possessed of the evil spirit to dare to attack a fakir."

"Well, don't let him come near me," I said. "I believe that cleanliness
is next to godliness, Salama