286 



BIG GAME SHOOTING 



home to camp on the flat tableland aforementioned, 

 and had made up my mind, being about half a mile 

 from camp, that there was nothing more to be done, 

 and so would smoke a pipe. I broke my rule, which 

 is to carry my own weapon right into camp, and, 

 taking out the cartridges, handed it to Puddoo. I 

 was lighting up my pipe, and he was in front. 

 Suddenly he sprang round and shoved my rifle into 

 my hand. "Bagh, Sahib ! " which means " Tiger, sir," 

 Sure enough there he stood, right in the open within 

 easy shot, broadside on. The very shot I had been 

 hoping for, and my rifle was empty. Just a grunt 

 and he was gone. My feelings may be imagined. 



