vi THE TIGER 137 



between me and the direction we were about to take. It is 

 seldom that a sambur barks in broad daylight unless disturbed by 

 either a tiger or leopard; I was accordingly in hope that the 

 sound might be the signal of alarm, and that we might find the 

 tiger between us and the neighbouring village by our camp, 

 where a small stream might have tempted it to drink. 



Having taken our positions Mr. Berry amidst a few trees 

 which formed a clump in a narrow glade outside, and myself 

 around the corner of a jungle the beat commenced. I was in the 

 howdah upon Moolah Bux, and from my elevated position I could 

 look across the sharp corner of the jungle and see a portion of the 

 narrow glade commanded by my companion Berry ; upon my side 

 there was a large open space perfectly clear for about 200 yards, 

 therefore the jungle was well guarded upon two sides, as the drive 

 would terminate at the corner. 



In a short time the usual monotony of the beaters' cries was 

 exchanged for a series of exciting shouts, which showed that game 

 of some kind was on foot. We had lost so much hope, that the 

 presence of a tiger was considered too remote to restrict our shoot- 

 ing to such noble game, and it had been agreed to lose no chance, 

 but to fire at any animal that should afford a shot. Presently, 

 after a sudden roar of animated voices, I saw ten or twelve wild 

 pigs emerge from the jungle and trot across the glade which Berry 

 commanded. A double shot from his rifle instantly responded. 



The line of beaters was closing up. This was a curious con- 

 trast to the dull routine which had been the character of the drives 

 throughout the day ; there was game afoot, and the jungle being 

 open, it could be seen, therefore immense enthusiasm was ex- 

 hibited by the natives. Another burst of excited voices pro- 

 claimed a discovery of other animals, and a herd of eight or ten 

 spotted deer (cheetul) broke covert close to my elephant and 

 dashed full speed across the open glade. They were all does and 

 young bucks without antlers, therefore I reserved my fire. We 

 could not now complain of want of sport, as all the animals ap- 

 peared to be concentrated in this jungle ; another sudden yelling 

 of the beaters was quickly followed by a rush of at least twenty 

 pigs across Berry's glade, and once again his rifle spoke with both 

 barrels in quick succession. I was in hope that the sambur stag 

 that I had heard bark in this direction might be still within the 

 drive, but the beaters were closing up, and the greater portion of 

 the line had already emerged upon either side of the acute angle. 



I now perceived Berry advancing towards me, he having left 

 his place of concealment in the clump of trees. " Did you see 



