Page:Wren--The young stagers.djvu/103

Rh 'provided no harm cometh to our striped Rajah of the nullah.'

"‘I must think. His tiger's skin is worth a hundred rupees to me, over and above pay and commission on bandobast,' said the shikari.

"‘Our Lord, the tiger, is worth a hundred rupees to every soul in this village—and we be many,' was the firm reply.

"‘But there is no reason why the Sahib should not see our Protector's tracks for a few days and be detained in our midst until he grow weary,' he added thoughtfully.

"‘Nor why he should not see the tiger itself, thereafter—when he begins to weary of seeing only its pugs,' suggested the shikari.

"‘None,' agreed the headman, 'provided he have not his gun with him at the time.'

"‘On my head be it,' answered the shikari.

"The shikari thought for days. So did the headman. So did the bannia (whom the shikari sought and who picked his brains in five minutes). So did the police patel—who was a good man at such little games. So did the