Hunter, and I leave firearms to those whose profession it is to
use them. I have hitherto never met with an occasion when I needed
them, and am not likely to do so. I always carry this heavy hunting
whip, which I find useful sometimes, when the village dogs rush
out and pretend that they are going to attack me; and I fancy that
even an Oude swordsman would think twice before attacking me when
I had it in my hand. But, of course, there is no fear about the
tiger. I generally ride pretty fast; and even if he were lying by
the roadside waiting for a meal, I don't think he would be likely
to interfere with me."

So saying, he lightly touched the horse's flanks with his spurs
and cantered off.

"He's a fine young fellow, Garnet," Mr. Hunter said to his companion;
"full of energy, and, they say, the very best linguist in Oude."

"Yes, he is all that," the other agreed; "but he is a sort
of fellow one does not quite understand. I like a man who is like
other fellows; Bathurst isn't. He doesn't shoot, he doesn't ride
--I mean he don't care for pig sticking; he never goes in for any
fun there may be on hand; he just works--nothing else; he does
not seem to mix with other people; he is the sort of fellow one
would say had got some sort of secret connected with him."

"If he has, I am certain it is nothing to his personal disadvantage,"
Mr. Hunter said warmly. "I have known him for the last six years--
I won't say very well, for I don't think anyone does that, except,
perhaps, Doctor Wade. When there was a wing of the regiment up
here three years ago he and Bathurst took to each other very much