Rujub, the Juggler | Page 5

was universally regarded as the firm friend of the British and one of the
best fellows going.
The days and weeks passed on, messengers came and went, the storm
was slowing brewing; and yet to all men it seemed that India was never

more contented nor 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 were lying by the roadside waiting for a meal, I don't
think he would be likely to interfere with me."
So saying, he lightly touched the horse's flanks with his spurs and
cantered off.
"He's a fine young fellow, Garnet," Mr. Hunter said to his companion;
"full of energy, and, they say, the very best linguist in Oude."
"Yes, he is all that," the other agreed; "but he is a sort of fellow one
does not quite understand. I like a man who is like other fellows;
Bathurst isn't. He doesn't shoot, he doesn't ride --I mean he don't care
for pig sticking; he never goes in for any fun there may be on hand; he
just works--nothing else; he does not seem to mix with other people; he
is the sort of fellow one would say had got some sort of secret
connected with him."
"If he has, I am certain it is nothing to his personal disadvantage," Mr.
Hunter said warmly. "I have known him for the last six years-- I won't
say very well, for I don't think anyone does that, except, perhaps,
Doctor Wade. When there was a wing of the regiment up here three
years ago he and Bathurst took to each other very much --perhaps
because they were both different from other people. But, anyhow, from
what I know of Bathurst I believe him to be a very fine character,
though there is certainly an amount of reserve about him altogether
unusual. At any rate, the service is a gainer by it. I never knew a fellow
work so indefatigably. He will take a very high place in the service

before he has done."
"I am