152 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



therefore lie had long since ceased to take the trouble. This was 

 rather interesting, and added to the excitement. 



At daybreak on the following morning my eager Bhikari with 

 several natives arrived, with news that the buffalo was killed and 

 dragged into a dry bed of a rocky nullah within the jungle ; and 

 from the high bank they had seen the tiger devouring the hind- 

 quarters. This was satisfactory, although I was afraid that the 

 tiger might have been disturbed by the inquisitiveness of the 

 people ; however, they laughed at the suggestion, and the beaters 

 being ready, we sallied out to make a drive for a hopeless beast 

 that was possessed by the devil. 



The natives had been accustomed for so many years to act as 

 beaters for this well-known animal that they had not the slightest 

 nervousness ; they knew the ground thoroughly, and the old 

 mucharns, which had been vainly occupied so often, had simply 

 been strengthened, but were ready in their original positions. 



We had a large force of men, and several shikaris of long 

 experience in the locality ; it was accordingly a wise course to 

 remain silent, as the people would have been confused by un- 

 necessary orders. 



Having left the line of men in position, we were taken about 

 a mile in advance. I had given my shikari a double-barrelled gun, 

 and I ordered him to take his stand as instructed by the natives ; 

 he accordingly disappeared, I knew not where. We entered the 

 jungle, and presently descended the face of a small hill ; then 

 crossing a nullah, I was introduced to my mucharn ; this was 

 arranged upon a large tree which grew exactly upon the margin, 

 and commanded not only the deep nullah beneath, but two other 

 smaller nullahs which it met at right angles only a few paces 

 distant. This looked well, as the tiger would probably slink along 

 these secluded watercourses, in which case I should obtain a 

 splendid shot I climbed from the back of my steady elephant 

 into the lofty perch ; the people and animals left me to watch, 

 squatted in a most uncomfortable position, as at that time I had 

 not invented my charming turnstool. 



At least an hour passed before I even heard the beaters. At 

 length, amidst the cooing of countless doves, I detected the distant 

 thud, thud of a toin-toin, and then the confused sound of many 

 excited voices. 



A few peacocks ran across the nullah ; then a small jungle- 

 sheep made the dead leaves rattle as it dashed wildly past ; and 

 almost immediately I heard a quick double shot about 200 yards 

 upon my left. 



