280 THE IMAGE OF WAE 



Meanwhile I walked to the near end of it, and posted 

 myself behind a thick thorn clump. The valley was 

 something the shape of a H, of which I had advanced 

 up one limb, while the foot ran towards the plain. 

 The beaters soon appeared opposite me, and in a 

 very few minutes it was evident that the bull had 

 made tracks. I was just going to move away when 

 frantic shouts of ^^ Bagli ! hagh!" (Tiger! tiger!) 

 and wild howls arose from the beaters. I could see 

 nothing, and supposing it was only a hysena, or 

 perhaps even a jackal, I stepped out from my place 

 of concealment. 



Lying between my bush (so to speak) and the 

 adjoining one was an enormous panther ! I certainly 

 never w^as so taken aback. We were about eight 

 feet apart, and, as there were no side issues through 

 the thorns, one of us must give way or die. Fortu- 

 nately there was no question of a hollow bullet this 

 time. My trusty 12 - bore was in my hands. I 

 think we faced each other for half a minute. If 

 ever I saw wrath personified it was then. With ears 

 flat back against its head, and contracted lips show- 

 ing the white teeth, it glared at me with its fierce 

 eyes, keeping up a snarling growl, and lashing the 

 ground with its tail. 



Slowly, slowly, I raised the heavy rifle, and aimed 

 at the broad chest just where the chin allowed me 

 to see it. I recollect now that I remembered to 

 allow for the rise of the ball at so short a distance, 

 and, taking a very fine sight, I pulled the trigger. 

 As I did so I jumped back a step and drew my knife 

 with my right hand. 



It was unnecessary, for as the smoke cleared I saw 

 the fierce head dropping on the paws, and the great 



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