THE PALKI AND THE TIGER
make little progress, and at last they declared that the road was impassable for a wheeled conveyance, and that it was necessary for the Inspector to change into a palki. One of them said that about two miles off the road there was a village, and that in the village there lived a rich Hindustani merchant who might lend a palki. Bose was pleased at the suggestion and told the push-push bearers to take him to the village. They needed no second bidding, and the Inspector was soon being trundled across the paddy fields that lay between the village and the road. Arrived there, he hastened to the merchant's house and asked to see him.
A handsome up-countryman came out and when he saw that his visitor was a gentleman he courteously asked him to enter and be seated. The Inspector soon explained his necessity for a palki, and the rich man placed his at the disposal of the police officer. "But Jenab (Sir)," he said, "tigers are bad in this forest and you have to pass through a part known to be a favourite haunt of theirs. Have you any fire-arms?"
"Only my revolver," said Bose "but I must push on and take my chance." And as the palki now stood ready and the bearers declared themselves
83
