The National tribune., 1899-09-07
A HUNTING TRIP
IN INDIA.
Montel Meets a Violent Death
in the Forest.
By DR.. J. HAMPDEN PORTER.

.Montel was dead; no wonder we waitet
vainiy. They put what remained of hin
in a cave, and came back bowling heather
litanies with Khudeck at their head.
This is what he told us:
THE Sahib could find no elephants il
that unsainted country, only old tracks
He was displeased, and swore they must bt
there. Whereupon we worked very hard
but found, nothing, and afterwards turned
off towards the west where some villages
lay, hoping that information might be pro
cured at these places.
'I am poor man; what do 1 know? YET
even then it appeared to me that the shadow
began to darken over my Lord. He was
set on his way, however, and could not turn
aside; the current had him; how should he
escape? At this time there came look
which foreboded evil; it grew upon his face
day by day, and my spirit became dis,
Quieted.
THAT was the first sign 1 perceived
though everything is plain now; because
my father-may heaven cool his rest-gave
me much instruction concerning omens and
forewarnings. Moreover, it seemed mani
fest that these solitudes abounded in ma
Ggnant beings; emISsaries of fate leading
on to destruction. Therefore, when
matters were understood as being ominous,
Bajee Ras, who had been priest, with your
servant, made charms to avert any strong
enchantment, praying fervertly also that
only some small misfortune would come.
But what could be said to my Lord, who
despised devils, neither believed in any
magic except the jadoo which is called
science? Remonstrarce might have eX-
ceeded the bounds of respect.
Three more marches took us to some
Gonds who were collecting lac gum. They
worked far out in the Jungle and gave news
of that elephant your highnesses are ac-
quainted with. This accursed killed GER
tain men-their misbegotten names do not
dwell in my memory-but two persisted on
one occasion, and four at another.
"When asked whether precautions had
been adopted, these infidels said that they
were safe An anchoret protected both
themselves and the village. Being pro-
pitiated, he devised charm which blinded
the elephant to their presence, and if he ap-
preached it would lure him away by false
appearances.
"At this information the heaven-born
smiled bitterly, and he likewise cursed
somewhat, though not with any violence.
Find camp, Khudeck, was his order
murna sub Ike hulk hal, death is the right of
all. This was saying which he learned
from those Pundits who taught him Hindu
stani; for Montel sahib was learned, and
since he shot the tiger had been to me even
as the skin of my soul.
''Yet soon | knew what must be; yea, the
gates of vision opened during sleep, and
warning sent. There were ghosts
innumerable, all silent. My Lord stood
among them with cup in which the death
apple had been STEPPED, ard those spirits
looked upon him earnestly. They streamed
and wavered like smoke when it is blown,
and low, dull thunder sounded, such as the
sacred Ganges might make if falling into
abysses that plunged down forever He
drank of the potion. Al Kumbukhti o,
miserable one, who could do nothirg I saw
him drink, and knew that he must die.
Bitter was the taste of bread thereafter.
Peace fled from my path; but 1 said no
word, for what would it have availed?
when We came TO the village where those
gum gatherers lived, his highness saw there
was no precaution, so that with jungle or
forest, ravines and dells all round it, this
destroying beast could have come unex
pectedly at any time. Likewise when the
Sahib reproached them for their careless
ness they told that foolish story about the
anchoret again. va! bap! it was a lie.
How should these vile Gonds possess a
saint? Can it be believed that miracles
were possible in order to preserve them?
"The Sahib knew men cannot be saved in
spite of themselves; but think he was con-
strained by his conscience to tell those pig
begotten miscreants what to do. There
was much gloom in his eyes this day, and 1
said, is my Lord sick?' Somehow, yes,'
he answered, though the ill feeling is vague;
perhaps an attack of jungle fever threatens