130 INDIAN BIG GAME chap. 



I had barely done so when Madha called out, 

 " Take to the trees, every one of you," and 

 next moment Kurrama, rifle and all, was up a 

 tree too, and I found myself alone with the 

 tiger. I looked hastily towards where I knew he 

 was by his growls, and, seeing no sign, I as calmly 

 as possible suggested that if one of them would 

 reach down and take my rifle, I too might follow 

 the monkey's example by taking to a tree. Kerta 

 did so, and with one jump from the top of a 

 convenient rock I flung myself on to a bough, 

 pulling myself up to a safe distance, and discover- 

 ing Kurrama in the same tree. I found my 

 refuge very pliant but most comfortable, with a 

 nice branch to sit on and another just the right 

 distance to support my feet. The tiger's mutter- 

 ings were not pleasant, and from Madha's grimaces 

 he was evidently showing his teeth, looking all 

 around for us. Madha suggested that as I could 

 not see the quarry from my coign of vantage, I 

 should get down and take up a position on the 

 very rocks the tiger had just left, which would 

 bring me within striking distance of him ; but his 

 purrs seemed hardly friendly ; so to show the 

 intrepid Madha, who soared above us all, that 

 haste was not my motto under such circumstances, 

 I pulled out my pipe and relit it, and with rifle 

 across my knees enjoyed a quiet smoke, the 

 while watcliing Madha, who was gibbering with 

 what we will call sheer excitement. He evidently 

 thought he was talking to us, but only his lips 

 were moving until Kurrama from behind me 

 rudely remarked, " If you will speak out we may 

 hear what you say." 



