The tents looked bright; two or three
large fires were burning round them, and the lamps had already been
lighted within.
"These tents do look cozy," Mary Hunter said, as she and Isobel
entered the one prepared for them. "I do wish one always lived
under canvas during the hot weather."
"They look cool," Isobel said, "but I don't suppose they are really
as cool as the bungalows; but they do make them comfortable. Here
is the bathroom all ready, and I am sure we want it after that dusty
drive. Will you have one first, or shall I? We must make haste, for
Rumzan said dinner would be ready in half an hour. Fortunately we
shan't be expected to do much in the way of dressing."
The dinner was a cheerful meal, and everyone was in high spirits.
The tiger had killed a cow the day before, and the villagers were
certain that he had retired to a deep nullah round which a careful
watch had been kept all day. Probably he would steal out by night
to make a meal from the carcass of the cow, but it had been arranged
that he was to do this undisturbed, and that the hunt was to take
place by daylight.
"It is wonderful how the servants manage everything," Isobel said.
"The table is just as well arranged as it is at home. People would
hardly believe in England, if they could see us sitting here, that
we were only out on a two days' picnic. They would be quite content
there to rough it and take their meals sitting on the ground,
or anyway they could get them.
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