tunately for his peace
of mind, Courtenay's list of killed was all invention, and the wounded
were reduced to _two_, which the doctor conscientiously reported under
the head of _slightly_.

There was no help but to proceed to town, and wait until another repast
could be provided. This was soon done, and the interpreter, with a
double salaam, informed the doctor, that "if gentleman wish, blow up
another tent, deputy have one ready for him next day."

"Well, now, I do declare these people are very polite," observed Prose;
"but I hope that if you do, doctor, you will not make me a party to it.
I would never have punched so hard at that hole if I thought that it was
to have blown up my own dinner."

"You're right, Mr Prose," answered Courtenay. "The doctor did not
treat us according to the Scriptures. We asked for bread, and he gave
us a stone--rather annoying too, after a long ride. But, however, as
the game is to come to us tomorrow, we had better be up early to receive
it in due form--so good night."

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

Now shall ye see
Our Roman hunting.
SHAKESPEARE.

Never did I hear
Such gallant chiding; for besides the groves,
The skies, the fountains, ev'ry region near
Seem'd all one mutual cry. I never heard
So musical a discord, such sweet thunder!
SHAKESPEARE.

At an early hour, Courtenay and his companions started with their
attendants for the scene of action. Several elephants, as well as
horses, had been provided, that the officers might mount them when they
arrived, and fire from their backs with more deliberate aim. In less
than two hours they reached the spot which they had surveyed the day
before. The game, which had been driven from jungle to jungle for many
miles round, was now collected together in one large mass of underwood
and low trees, three sides of which were surrounded by the natives, who
had been employed in the service, and who had been joined by many
hundreds from the town and neighbouring villages. As soon as the party
arrived, those who were on horseback dismounted, took their stations
upon the howdahs of the elephants, and collected at the corner of that
side of the jungle at which the animals were to be driven out. The
scene was one of the most animating and novel description. Forty or
fifty of the superior classes of natives, mounted upon fiery Arabians,
with their long, glittering boar-spears in their hands, and above one
hundred on foot,