at once to see what was going on, and also, as it proved, to attack
the pinioned bird. Gunga Dass, who had lain down on a tussock,
motioned to me to be quiet, though I fancy this was a needless
precaution. In a moment, and before I could see how it happened,
a wild crow, who had grappled with the shrieking and helpless bird,
was entangled in the latter's claws, swiftly disengaged by Gunga Dass,
and pegged down beside its companion in adversity. Curiosity, it seemed,
overpowered the rest of the flock, and almost before Gunga Dass
and I had time to withdraw to the tussock, two more captives were
struggling in the upturned claws of the decoys. So the chase--if I
can give it so dignified a name--continued until Gunga Dass had
captured seven crows. Five of them he throttled at once, reserving
two for further operations another day. I was a good deal
impressed by this, to me, novel method of securing food, and
complimented Gunga Dass on his skill.

"It is nothing to do," said he. "Tomorrow you must do it for me.
You are stronger than I am."

This calm assumption of superiority upset me not a little, and I
answered peremptorily: "Indeed, you old ruffian! What do you
think I have given you money for?"

"Very well," was the unmoved reply. "Perhaps not to-morrow, nor
the day after, nor subsequently; but in the end, and for many years,
you will catch crows and eat crows, and you will thank your
European God that you have crows to catch and eat."

I could have cheerfully strangled him for this; but judged it best
under the circumstances to smother my resentment. An hour later