346 THE HIGHLANDS OF CEXTRAL INDIA. 



is no small assistance to the hunter at times. The- 

 exception is, that a large male panther and a young 

 male tiger leave marks absolutely identical, and not to 

 be distinguished by the best native trackers. 



After following the easily-read trail in the sandy 

 bottom of the ravine for some half-mile or so, the ravine 

 branched off into two ; the main branch leading straight 

 down to the river, and the other a narrow, rock-bound 

 gully, striking off almost at right angles to the left. 

 The sturdy little Gond who was then leading seemed to 

 grow somewhat anxious as we approached the junction,, 

 and his swarthy countenance lighted up with a smile 

 pleasant to see, when he found that all three tigers had 

 entered the ororofe to the left. 



" We have them ! " he exclaimed ; " they are in the 

 dewur, and as good as killed." 



Demur is the local name for a place where two or 

 three nalas meet, and form a hollow in which water 

 remains throughout the hot weather ; if sufficiently 

 shady and cool, it is a favourite haunt of the tiger ; and 

 it really seemed very likely that the tigers, having 

 gorged themselves at night, had proceeded to lie up in 

 the dewur, as surmised by the Gond. To make all 

 sure, we described a circle round the place, carefully 

 examining all the nalds that led from it, and findino: no 

 marks to indicate their exit^ returned to camp, pretty 

 confident of having "ringed" the family, and that 

 we would find them asleep about twelve o'clock. A 

 scorching hot wind was blowing fiercely across the plain 

 when I left my tent after breakfast, and mounted the 

 howdah. It was fearfully hot, and the flickering haze 

 that plays over the bare ground at this season, like an 

 exhalation of gas from its surface, playing the strangest 

 ]) ranks with houses, trees, and figures, was exceedingly 



