1 84 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



big, how marked, or any other particulars. Our eyes are 

 enchained by his splendid tout-ensemble , until, next moment, 

 he is moving forward, across us, at a slow, heavy, leisurely 

 walk. 



He is passing now past well past wait another 

 moment a little more now 



Bang ! 



"Woof!" 



The tiger has disappeared in the grass. There is a 

 sudden crying of peafowl all around, as the report of the 

 shot dies away in the jungle ; then that too is quieted. 

 Still we continue standing intently there. 



After a while there comes the voice of old Abbas Khan 

 shouting from a low tree 



" He's gone on towards the big ndla." 



" Can you see him ? " I call. 



"No!" 



" Then send a man up higher." 



A dusky figure is seen climbing. Shortly comes an 

 excited voice " There he is ! See ! There he is ! Lying 

 down beyond the big kowa tree" and the old orderly 

 goes clambering up after the first climber. 



" Have you got the glasses ? " we yell. 



"What?" 



H Glasses: 1 



"They are (here)." 



" Use them, then, and see if he is breathing." 



We cautiously make our way towards his tree, and, 

 arriving near it, address the old fellow, who is standing 

 up aloft, affectionately embracing a branch, with eyes 

 glued to the powerful prism binoculars. 



"Is he dead?" 



" He does not move/' 



" Where is he lying ? M 



