midnight
Young Chinn opened his eyes when he understood that each one of his companions had shot several tigers in the Wuddar style - on foot , that is - making no more of the business than if the brute had been a dog . `` In nine cases out of ten , '' said the Major , `` a tiger is almost as dangerous as a porcupine . But the tenth time you come home feet first . '' That set all talking , and long before midnight Chinn 's brain was in a whirl with stories of tigers - man-eaters and cattle-killers each pursuing his own business as methodically as clerks in an office ; new tigers that had lately come into such-and-such a district ; and old , friendly beasts of great cunning , known by nicknames in the mess-such as `` Puggy , '' who was lazy , with huge paws , and `` Mrs. Malaprop , '' who turned up when you never expected her , and made female noises . Then they spoke of Bhil superstitions , a wide and picturesque field , till young Chinn hinted that they must be pulling his leg . '' ` Deed , we are n't , '' said a man on his left . `` We know all about you .