the outlook more tranquil and assured.

CHAPTER II.

A young man in a suit of brown karkee, with a white puggaree wound
round his pith helmet, was just mounting in front of his bungalow at
Deennugghur, some forty miles from Cawnpore, when two others came up.

"Which way are you going to ride, Bathurst?"

"I am going out to Narkeet; there is a dispute between the villagers and
a Talookdar as to their limits. I have got to look into the case. Why do
you ask, Mr. Hunter?"

"I thought that you might be going that way. You know we have had
several reports of ravages by a man eater whose headquarters seem to
be that big jungle you pass through on your way to Narkeet. He has been
paying visits to several villages in its neighborhood, and has carried
off two mail runners. I should advise you to keep a sharp lookout."

"Yes, I have heard plenty about him; it is unfortunate we have no one at
this station who goes in for tiger hunting. Young Bloxam was speaking
to me last night; he is very hot about it; but as he knows nothing about
shooting, and has never fired off a rifle in his life, except at the
military target, I told him that it was madness to think of it by
himself, and that he had better ride down to the regiment at Cawnpore,
and get them to form a party to come up to hunt the beast. I told him
they need not bring elephants with them; I could get as many as were
necessary from some of the Talookdars, and there will be no want of
beaters. He said he would write at once, but he doubted whether any of
them would be able to get away at present; the general inspection is
just coming on. However, no doubt they will be able to do so before
long."

"Well, if I were you I would put a pair of pistols into my holster,
Bathurst; it would be awfully awkward if you came across the beast."

"I never carry firearms," the young man said shortly; and then more
lightly, "I am a peaceful man by profession, as you are, Mr. Hunter,
and I leave firearms to those whose profession it is to use them. I
have hitherto never met with an occasion when I needed them, and am not
likely to do so. I always carry this heavy hunting whip, which I find
useful sometimes, when the village dogs rush out and pretend that they
are going to attack me; and I fancy that even an Oude swordsman would
think twice before attacking me when I had it in my hand. But, of
course, there is no fear about the tiger. I generally ride pretty fast;
and even if he w