74 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



" ' Hooked J the tiger certainly was, but whether I should 

 ever bring him to the * gaff' was quite another question. 



"After the exciting flurry that had just taken place, the 

 jungle recovered its wonted calm with extraordinary 

 rapidity ; and as the pool at my feet was the only water 

 for some two miles around, I had no lack of company to 

 interest me so long as light lasted. Birds of all descrip- 

 tions, jackals, flights on flights of the painted sandgrouse 

 dropping swiftly over the trees on to the moist cool sand, 

 and, after drinking, rising again as suddenly with their 

 clucking call ; and then a large company of that marvel- 

 lously wary bird, the peafowl, followed by a timid, hesitat- 

 ing herd of spotted deer. As night fell all these gradually 

 departed, and, after the loud cries exchanged across the 

 valley by the roosting peacocks, there descended a silence 

 that could be felt. 



"Later on a breeze sprang up, and while carrying the 

 human taint well away in the right direction, served to 

 drown any suspicious sounds which might scare away a 

 shy animal. You know the extraordinary way machdns will 

 creak in a dead calm ! 



"The waning moon was not due till about n p.m., so 

 I produced my spoon, and untied my frugal meal of potato- 

 pie which my servant had provided, after which a draught 

 from the water chdgal prepared me for a long vigil. 



" It was an extremely dark night, for heavy lowering 

 clouds in dense masses blotted out the stars, and gave me 

 many a foreboding as regards having a clear moon later on. 

 I settled my back against a branch, and gave myself up to 

 reflection. I wondered how the tiger was getting along, 

 and if he'd drink soon or late ; or perhaps he might pay 

 more than one visit to the pool during the enjoyment of 

 his meal. What a funny old fellow was that Koli shikari 

 with whom I had had a talk that day ; and how solemnly 

 he had given me a quite unnecessary warning ' not to sleep 

 on any account ' ! 



