vn THE TIGER 155 



In the meanwhile I studied the ground minutely. I could see 

 for 50 yards along the nullah, also there was a clear view where 

 it joined the other approaches by which the tiger was expected. 

 Exactly in front, on the other side the nullah beneath me, the 

 jungle rose in a tolerably steep inclination upon a slope which 

 continued for several hundred yards. If the tiger were to quit 

 the nullah by which it would approach upon my left, it would 

 probably cross over this hill to ensure a short cut, instead of 

 continuing along the bottom of the nullah ; this is frequently the 

 habit of a tiger. 



It was difficult to decide whether the beat had commenced, 

 owing to the ceaseless cooing of the numerous doves, but presently 

 a peacock flew into the tree upon my right, and almost immedi- 

 ately two peahens ran over the dead leaves, which made an 

 exciting rustle in the quiet nullah. I felt sure that the beaters 

 were advancing, as the peafowl were disturbed ; I therefore kept 

 in readiness, with rifle at full cock, as I felt sure that should the 

 tiger exhibit himself, he would be far in advance of the approach- 

 ing drive. 



My ears were almost pricked with the strain of expectation, 

 and I shortly heard the unmistakable beat of the native tom-tom. 



Hardly had the sound impressed itself upon the ear, when a 

 dull but heavy tread upon the brittle leaves which strewed the 

 surface arrested my attention. This was repeated in so slow but 

 regular a manner, that I felt sure it denoted the stealthy step of a 

 tiger. I looked along the different nullahs, but could see nothing. 

 The sound ceased for at least a minute, when once more the tread 

 upon dead leaves decided me that the animal was somewhere not 

 far distant. At this moment I raised my eyes from the nullahs 

 in which he was expected, and I saw, through the intervening 

 leafless mass of bushes upon the opposing slope, a dim outline of 

 an enormous tiger, so indistinct that the figure resembled the 

 fading appearance of a dissolving view. Slowly and stealthily the 

 shadowy form advanced along the face of the slope, exactly cross- 

 ing my line of sight. This was the " possessed of the devil " that 

 had escaped during so many years, and I could not help thinking 

 that many persons would risk the shot in its present position, 

 when the bullet must cut through a hundred twigs before it could 

 reach the mark, and thus would probably be deflected. The tiger 

 was now about 40 yards distant, and although the bushes were all 

 leafless, there was one exception, which lay in the direct path the 

 tiger was taking, a little upon my right ; this was a very dense 

 and large green bush called karoonda. Exactly to the right, upon 



