play and danced almost in as
lifelike a manner as performers on a stage. The nautch-girls continued
their performances throughout the whole evening, but the other
entertainments were varied. The puppet-show was succeeded by a band of
tumblers, who tied themselves into knots, walked on their hands and
heads, and twisted and turned about more actively than the most nimble
of monkeys--their bodies apparently being destitute of bones, or
possessing ten times the number of joints usually found in the human
frame. They all received a reward--more or less, as the rajah was
pleased with their performances.

Burnett, it must be confessed, looked in vain for the appearance of
Nuna, who, it was possible, might have been among the audience behind
the gauze curtain at the further end of the hall.

"And how have you enjoyed our evening's entertainment?" asked the rajah,
turning to Reginald.

"The performances are very wonderful," he answered. Of course he could
not say that he thought them very barbarous, and that they had afforded
him anything but pleasure.

"Ah, we will show you things far more wonderful than these," observed
the rajah. "You must accompany us out hunting. You Englishmen, I
understand, are all huntsmen, and delight in the chase, and are not
afraid to encounter tigers and wild boars, and even elephants."

Reginald confessed that sporting was much more in accordance with his
taste, and that he should be glad to have an opportunity afforded him of
seeing how the Orientals followed the chase.

At length the rajah, accompanied by the damsels, who continued fanning
him, took his departure, and the banquet was at an end; but Reginald did
not forget a scowl he had observed on the countenance of Khan Cochut as
he and Burnett quitted the hall.

He had left Faithful the sole occupant of a stall in one of the stables.
Before lying down at night, he went to pay his favourite a visit. The
animal fawned on him, and seemed so unwilling to be left alone, that he
led her out, intending to allow her to share his sleeping-room. She
seemed highly pleased; and no sooner had Reginald thrown himself on the
pile of cushions arranged on the floor for his couch, than she laid
herself down, evidently prepared to keep watch during the night by his
side. "Perhaps the creature's instinct tells her that some danger
threatens me," he said to himself. "I am very sure that I may trust to
her vigilance, and sleep soundly, without the