146 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



Although the first attack of this fearless brute had failed, 

 and our position had been strengthened, our feelings may 

 well be imagined. It was pitch dark in the gloom of the 

 trees. I touched the open face of my watch. The hands 

 felt to be indicating one o'clock in the morning. There 

 were still four and a half hours of night before us, during 

 which we were liable to be stalked practically helpless 

 ourselves, but clearly apparent to every sense of this 

 practised, creeping murderer. 



Once more the hours dragged on in silence. 



Two large owls set up a most horrible low moaning 

 among the trees to the right. The air became damp 

 and very cold. Morning could not be far off. A faint 

 breeze rustled the treetops, and some bamboos creaked 

 uneasily. 



Until now not a sound had been heard to indicate the 

 return of the panther, but at last I fancied that the faintest 

 sound of breathing had been borne to my ears. Every 

 sense was instantly at acutest tension. My orderly was 

 breathing through his nose. I leant slowly back, and, 

 pressing his knee, uttered a faint sh sh ! 



The topmost branches of a neighbouring salai tree 

 quivered. Was it the wind ? No ; the air was now quite 

 still. 



There was something shaking that tree. Its branches 

 moved again just the tips that were outlined against the 

 faintly luminous sky. 



What with the cold and the suspense, I seemed to be 

 shaking the whole machdn. My throat was painfully dry. 

 The effort to swallow made a fearful noise. I wanted to 

 cough. 



Something whitish or greyish seemed to be climbing 

 close to the trunk of the salai tree : it moved ! 



" Mdro ! " breathed the Pathan. 



I gently, slowly, raised the gun to my shoulder, shaking 

 with anxiety, and straining my eyes in the darkness. 



