with the crude idea that it
was a success whenever two words could be forced into a resemblance of
any kind, he constantly endeavoured to Anglicise Gipsy words--often,
alas! an only too easy process, and could never understand why it was I
then rejected them. By the former method I ran the risk of obtaining
false Hindustani Gipsy words, though I very much doubt whether I was ever
caught by it in a single instance; so strict were the tests which I
adopted, the commonest being that of submitting the words to other
Gipsies, or questioning him on them some days afterwards. By the latter
"aid" I risked the loss of Rommany words altogether, and undoubtedly did
lose a great many. Thus with the word _bilber_ (to entice or allure), he
would say, in illustration, that the girls _bilbered_ the gentleman into
the house to rob him, and then cast me into doubt by suggesting that the
word must be all right, "'cause it looked all the same as _pilferin_'."

One day I asked him if the Hindustani word khapana (pronounced almost
hopana) (to make away with) sounded naturally to his ears.

"Yes, rya; that must be _happer_, _habber_, or _huvver_. To hopper
covvas away from the tan (_i.e_., to _hopper_ things from the place), is
when you rikker 'em awayus (carry them away, steal them), and gaverit
(hide _it_) tally your chuckko (under your coat). An' I can pen you a
waver covva (I can tell you another thing) that's _hopper_--them's the
glasses that you look through--_hoppera_-glasses."

And here in bounding triumph he gave the little wooden bear a drink of
ale, as if it had uttered this chunk of solid wisdom, and then treated
himself to a good long pull. But the glance of triumph which shot from
his black-basilisk eyes, and the joyous smile which followed these feats
of philology, were absolutely irresistible. All that remained for me to
do was to yield in silence.

One day we spoke of _huckeny pokee_, or _huckeny ponkee_, as it is
sometimes called. It means in Rommany "sleight of hand," and also the
adroit substitution of a bundle of lead or stones for another containing
money or valuables, as practised by Gipsy women. The Gipsy woman goes to
a house, and after telling the simple-minded and credulous housewife that
there is a treasure buried in the cellar, persuades her that as "silver
draws silver," she must deposit all her money or jewels in a bag near the
place where the treasure lies. This is done, and the Rommany _dye_
adro