Reminiscences of Jungly pur. 155 



No't finding any more tracks down stream, we had turned 

 and were retracing our steps, when we became aware of the 

 four Korkus hurrying down the far bank of the river bed. 

 Surprised at this sudden departure from their original 

 bamboo-cutting expedition, we stopped and called to them ; 

 but in a pre-occupied kind of way they continued their 

 course, one of them signalling that this Was their path. 

 Now had my old fellow mentioned to me the cause of his 

 previous pause and thought, subsequent events might have 

 turned out very differently, but he did not. ' Chance ' was 

 creeping in. 



* Suspicion should rest on every departure from the 

 normal.' 



It was becoming hot in the deep-sunk ravine, and up 

 we plodded over pebble and sand, past the pug-marked 

 pool (erasing the pugs), past almost the level bay and 

 banyan tree, H. going along the farther bank. By the 

 pool-side I stooped, and scooping up a little water patted 

 it refreshingly over my scanty locks. Then I replaced my 

 sun hat, and ascended a little bank on the higher ground 

 to settle on a spot for our bait that evening. 



* Baurrgh^ha-waurrgh-ha-harrgh-a-waugh !* 



The deafening noise burst all around me in the vibrating 

 air, stunning and confusing for a couple of seconds, until> 

 elongated and flattened, the form of a tigress grew clear 

 under the banyan tree close to my right front, as she 

 rushed towards me, bellowing, and scattering the dried 

 leaves. Behind her two little brutes of cubs ; they also in 

 full song ! My 1 2-bore ball and shot gun flew to my 

 shoulder ; the roaring comet came to a sudden halt, Finger 

 on trigger, I took a few steps backward, then more ; 

 reached the edge of the bank ; darted down it ; and, 

 pursued by the same disgusting outcry, made nimblest time 



