26 INDIAN BIG GAME chap. 



to do. After a long time I heard a rustle, and then 

 to my delight the tigress stealthily climbed up 

 the cliff, and I dropped her dead at my tree. 

 This was a truculent animal, and I was glad to 

 have had no accidents to the men. 



As it was now nearly 4.45 p.m., I handed over 

 money for the beaters, contrary to rule, and 

 started " all out " for the home tiger. But my 

 original guides being tired, I was given two out- 

 side men, who lost their way. We got entangled 

 in deep ravines and only reached home tired and 

 hungry at 9 p.m., having covered a good many 

 miles. 



My wife had gone alone to sit up, and knowing 

 she had no rifle I hurried after her, taking a man 

 with a lantern. I soon knew there was no chance, 

 for the tiger was grumbling as we got to the 

 machan. My wife had had the light on him, and 

 she saw him, which was the only consolation. 

 He would have been an easy shot, and was 

 evidently a fine animal. It was the stupidity 

 of the guides that lost him. A hyaena came often, 

 but I slept mostly, cold and weary. However, 

 I was pleased at having helped to beat the tigress 

 up to my own machan, and at having then shot 

 her. 



The little Korku got a good reward. 



From now onwards I continued my shoot 

 alone, my wife having left for England. After 

 seeing her off from Bombay I rejoined my camp, 

 which had moved a few miles to the side of a 

 river. Behind the camp lay open fields with 

 sunken lanes bounded by hedges and real gates. 

 Blackbuck grazed all day, pig and deer held 



