a greyhound, and refers to no particular breed. The common name for a
dog is _Kutta_, pronounced _Cootta_, but the Tazi has certainly been an
importation from the North-west, hence the Persian name. The wandering
Caboolees, who come down to the plains once a year with dried fruits,
spices, and other products of field or garden, also bring with them the
dogs of their native country for sale, and on occasion they bring
lovely long-haired white Persian cats, very beautiful animals. These
Caboolee dogs are tall, long-limbed brutes, generally white, with a
long thin snout, very long silky-haired drooping ears, and generally
wearing tufts of hair on their legs and tail, somewhat like the
feathering of a spaniel, which makes them look rather clumsy. They
cannot stand the heat of the plains at all well, and are difficult to
tame, but fleet and plucky, hunting well with an English pack.

My neighbour Anthony at Meerpore had some very fine English greyhounds
and bulldogs, and many a rattling burst have we had together after the
fox or the jackal. Imagine a wide level plain, with one uniform dull
covering of rice stubble, save where in the centre a mound rises some
two acres in extent, covered with long thatching grass, a few scrubby
acacia bushes, and other jungly brushwood. All round the circular
horizon are dense forest masses of sombre looking foliage, save where
some clump of palms uprear their stately heads, or the white shining
walls of some temple, sacred to Shiva or Khristna glitter in the
sunshine. Far to the left a sluggish creek winds slowly along through
the plain, its banks fringed with acacias and wild rose jungle. On the
far bank is a small patch of _Sal_ forest jungle, with a thick rank
undergrowth of ferns, thistles, and rank grass. As I am slowly riding
along I hear a shout in the distance, and looking round behold Anthony
advancing at a rapid hand gallop. His dogs and mine, being old friends,
rapidly fraternise, and we determine on a hunt.