MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. - 100 



further went the trail, until it ended, half way up a dark ravine, and at the foot 

 of a large moha tree, and on its fork, live feet from. the. ground, they saw the 

 coarse cloth, which the fond mother had tied round her child's neck, covered 

 with blood. Looking up higher, the headless trunk of the unfortunate boy 

 Avas seen balanced skilfully across a large bough, with the legs crossed, and 

 one arm stiffly extended. The poor villagers frightened, not only at the awful 

 occurrence, but by the skUl shown in the disposal of the body, hastened to the 

 District Officer's camp, which fortunately happened to be only five miles off. 

 The appeal was unmistakeable, and it became a duty to respond to it. After 

 a hurried breakfast, for which all appetite had been dissipated by the above- 

 sickening details, a move was made, and, true enough, the body, cloth and the 

 ghastly remains of the boy were found in the exact position reported. A 

 consultation with the native shikaries followed, as to the best means of getting a 

 shot at the animal which had showed such extraordinary ingenuity, and which, 

 it was expected, would be followed up in avoiding danger by exposing itself. 

 The first essential was to so conceal oneself as to tempt it to come boldly up to 

 the tree to take down its ghastly quarry. This was no easy matter, as the 

 ground was rocky, and no natural cover available. However, by dint of hard 

 labour, a small hole was dug, sufficient to hide in, and a covering of thorns 

 was soon put up over my head, and in this cramped position, the brute had 

 to be watched for from 5 p. m., till it got so dark that the trunk of the tree 

 could not be distinguished. Reluctantlly a retreat was ordered, but before 

 leaving, efforts were made to get the men to bring away the body, so as to 

 prevent its being still further fed upon, but in vain. Neither money, nor 

 threats, could conquer their superstition, that the spirit of the dead boy had 

 already tinned into an animal, and was acting in sympathy with the panther, 

 and had warned him of the trap laid for him. As an alternative thorns were 

 put to a considerable height all round the tree in the hope of preventing the 

 panther from cbmbing up, but on visiting the place early in the morning, it 

 was found that we had again been baffled. The thorns were pushed aside. 

 The cloth and the body had both been removed. Tracks led fui-ther up 

 the same ravine, and it was evident that the panther had taken up its abode 

 there for the day. It was at once settled that we should beat it out and do 

 our best to destroy it. Men were soon collected, and with drums beating they 

 entered at one side, while the writer posted himself at the other. A third time 

 we were out-generalled. An opening which was left by the cowardice of some 

 men was avafied of, and unseen by all, except one, the brute crossed an open 

 glade at full speed and disappeared into another ravine. This time the duty 

 of carefully posting men at all the outlets but one, was properly discharged, 

 and the brute was driven straight ahead, but, somehow, kept out of my way. 

 It looked as if it came to know that its safety iay in giving a wide berth to the 

 gunner. Three times it thus dodged by doubling back, but the beaters were 

 determined that it should give a chance, and drove it at last into a small ravine 



