32 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



passed across the burning sand. When he returned there 

 were some vultures seated inquiringly on a tree above; 

 and a couple of crows who had been extremely busy 

 during his absence flew silently up and perched close by, 

 wiping their strong black beaks. 



The tiger now dragged the carcase away under some 

 thick bamboos, and " lay up " not far off. Then he slept. 



Slowly the intolerable hot-weather day wore away in 

 silence but for the creaking of the parched bamboos in 

 the occasional breaths of burning air, and the stirring of 

 their sharp, dry leaves, an occasional "caw" from the 

 indefatigable crows, or the squeaking hiss of the quarrel- 

 some vultures as they greeted the heavy flappings of 

 some new-comer settling among them. The jungle 

 grass, sand, trees, bamboos, rocks all were quivering 

 yellow-white in the furiously bright glare of the Indian 

 summer sun, and stood out blindingly against the peculiar 

 dull blue-black of the relentless sky. Such birds as could 

 be seen hiding in the shade held their beaks permanently 

 agape, and all nature seemed to be fainting and gasping 

 in the dreadful heat. 



Towards dusk of that day the sense of loneliness over- 

 came the young tiger afresh. He had crept down and 

 smelt at the remnants of the sdmbar, but his appetite had 

 been satisfied, and shortly afterwards the hoarse barking 

 of a khdkar on the bank of the ravine notified that he had 

 wandered forth in the gloaming. 



Following them by some instinct, the young tiger prowled 

 after his lost family all that night, but, as they were now 

 some miles ahead of him, to little purpose. 



Shortly after dawn he heard a little rattling of earth 

 and stones on the hillside above the game-path that he 

 was following. As he stopped to listen there was a suc- 

 cession of deep, snorting snuffs, followed by a sucking 

 noise. Then the digging recommenced. The tiger moved 

 cautiously towards these sounds. He stepped on a crack- 



