Then the ruts became an actual road, which was alternately a series of rocky ledges which made the jeep jump, or dust so deep that the car wallowed to its axles. Yet the man with the broad, rugged face never spoke a word, but left the driving up to Biff, as did the boys in back. It was only when Biff made a sharp turn into a slightly smoother but still dusty stretch that Chandra spoke up:
"We get off here to go to Supari."
It wasn't yet sunset, and they had made it! The huts of the village showed across the open fields, a mile away, with clumps of thick woods forming a colorful background. As Biff stepped from the jeep, the broad-faced man moved over behind the wheel and clapped his hand on Biff's shoulder in approval.
"Look me up at Keewal," the stranger said. "I can use you as an alternate driver on my next trip. The head shikari will tell you where to find me."
He was sliding the jeep into gear as Biff and the other boys stood there, shouldering their packs.
"May I ask your name, sir?" Biff inquired.
The rugged man smiled broadly, as he gave it:
"Just ask for Barma Shah."
With that, the jeep was off in a cloud of its own dust and Biff was echoing in amazement: "Barma Shah!"
X
The Tiger Hunt