THE MAN-EATER OF BELKHERA 149 



We walked up the river-bank and reached the scene of 

 the catastrophe. The body of the cow-herd was laid 

 down just where he had been caught, and I prepared a 

 hiding-place in which to watch until dark, when the 

 villagers were to turn out, with drums and torches, and 

 take the corpse away. 



But now events took an unexpected turn, as they not 

 infrequently do where panthers are concerned. It was 

 fated that the end of this notorious evildoer should be 

 brought about in a singularly tame and commonplace 

 manner. 



My orderly rushed up and informed me that the panther 

 had not gone off into the hills. He had found its tracks 

 leading into a little patch of scrub and samdlu bush in the 

 river-bed ; and, " circling " this covert, could find no traces 

 of exit. Therefore the panther might be there ! At any 

 rate, a silent beat could do no harm. 



The village was only a few hundred yards away ; and a 

 goodly body of beaters was shortly ready, all armed with 

 bamboo lathis. I posted myself on the river-bank about a 

 hundred yards upstream, and the beat began. 



A few seconds later a large panther walked quietly out 

 of a cactus bush and sat down directly below me, looking 

 back over his shoulder. My rifle was raised ; and next 

 moment the man-eater of Belkhe'ra had paid the penalty 

 of his crimes. 



