ne sportsman to the other in
French. 'When we get into India proper thou wilt see. I should like
to visit his Rajah. One might speak the good word there. It is
possible that he has heard of us and wishes to signify his good-will.'

'We have not time. We must get into Simla as soon as may be,' his
companion replied. 'For my own part, I wish our reports had been sent
back from Hilas, or even Leh.'

'The English post is better and safer. Remember we are given all
facilities--and Name of God!--they give them to us too! Is it
unbelievable stupidity?'

'It is pride--pride that deserves and will receive punishment.'

'Yes! To fight a fellow-Continental in our game is something. There
is a risk attached, but these people--bah! It is too easy.'

'Pride--all pride, my friend.'

'Now what the deuce is good of Chandernagore being so close to Calcutta
and all,' said Hurree, snoring open-mouthed on the sodden moss, 'if I
cannot understand their French? They talk so particularly fast! It
would have been much better to cut their beastly throats.'

When he presented himself again he was racked with a
headache--penitent, and volubly afraid that in his drunkenness he might
have been indiscreet. He loved the British Government--it was the
source of all prosperity and honour, and his master at Rampur held the
very same opinion. Upon this the men began to deride him and to quote
past words, till step by step, with deprecating smirks, oily grins, and
leers of infinite cunning, the poor Babu was beaten out of his defences
and forced to speak--truth. When Lurgan was told the tale later, he
mourned aloud that he could not have been in the place of the stubborn,
inattentive coolies, who with grass mats over their heads and the
raindrops puddling in their footprints, waited on the weather. All the
Sahibs of their acquaintance--rough-clad men joyously returning year
after year to their chosen gullies--had servants and cooks and
orderlies, very often hillmen. These Sahibs travelled without any
retinue. Therefore they were poor Sahibs, and ignorant; for no Sahib
in his senses would follow a Bengali's advice. But the Bengali,
appearing from somewhere, had given them money, and could make shift
with their dialect. Used to comprehensive ill-treatment from their own
colour, they suspected a trap somewhere, and stood by to run if
occasion offered.

Then through the new-washed air, steaming with delicious earth-smells,
the Ba