ng each other a
dry bath in the shape of a shower of sand. There was a monotonous
clank of chains, and an occasional deep abdominal rumble like distant
thunder. All over the camp there was a confused subdued medley of
sound. A hum from the argumentative villagers, a lazy flop in the tank
as a raho rose to the surface, an occasional outburst from the ducks,
an angry clamour from the water-hens and blue-fowl. My dogs were lying
round me blinking and winking, and making an occasional futile snap at
an imaginary fly or flea. It was a drowsy and peaceful scene. I was
nearly dropping off to sleep, from the heat and the monotonous drone
of the putwarrie, who was intoning nasally some formidable document
about fishery rights and privileges.

Suddenly there was a hush. Every sound seemed to stop simultaneously
as if by pre-arranged concert. Then three men were seen rushing madly
along the elevated ridge surrounding one of the tanks. I recognised
one of my peons, and with him two cowherds. Their head-dresses were
all disarranged, and their parted lips, heaving chests, and eyes
blazing with excitement, shewed that they were brimful of some unusual
message.

Now arose such a bustle in the camp as no description could adequately
portray. The elephants trumpeted and piped; the _syces_, or grooms,
came rushing up with eager queries; the villagers bustled about like
so many ants aroused by the approach of a hostile foe; my pack of
terriers yelped out in chorus; the pony neighed; the Cabool stallion
plunged about; my servants came rushing from the shelter of the tent
verandah with disordered dress; the ducks rose in a quacking crowd,
and circled round and round the tent; and the cry arose of 'Bagh!
Bagh! Khodamund! Arree Bap re Bap! Ram Ram, Seeta Ram!'

Breathless with running, the men now tumbled up, hurriedly salaamed,
arid then each with gasps and choking stops, and pell-mell volubility,
and amid a running fire of cries, queries, and interjections from the
mob, began to unfold their tale. There was an infuriated tigress at
the other side of the nullah, or dry watercourse, she had attacked a
herd of buffaloes, and it was believed that she had cubs.

Already Debnarain Singh was getting his own pad elephant caparisoned,
and my bearer was diving under my camp bed for my gun and cartridges.
Knowing the little elephant to be a fast walker, and fairly staunch, I
got on her back, and accompanied by the gomasta and mahout we set out,
fo