foenrv? Hstburs Xeveeon 5" 



once settled, I returned to the village and obtained from 

 the patel the bamboo on which the tappal-runners sling 

 the mail-bags over their shoulders. To the end of this 

 is an iron ring with a number of small pieces of metal 

 attached, making a jingling noise as the man runs, 

 which gives warning of the coming of the post to any 

 crowd that might be obstructing the path, allowing 

 them time to get out of his way. Having broken off 

 the ring, I fastened it to my belt, so as to allow it to 

 jingle as I walked ; and arming myself with a short 

 double rifle by Westley Richards, a brace of pistols, and 

 a huge shekar knife, I made Kistimah lead the way 

 down the road towards the place where the man-eater 

 was said to lurk. . . . 



The sun had almost set as I proceeded slowly down 

 the road, and, although I was perfectly cool and as 

 steady as possible, I felt cold drops of perspiration start 

 from my forehead as I approached the spot where so 

 many victims had been sacrificed. I passed the rock, 

 keeping well on the look-out, listening carefully for the 

 slightest sound, and I remember feeling considerably 

 annoyed by the chirping made by a couple of little 

 bulbuls (Indian nightingales), that were fighting in a 

 bush close to the roadside. Partridges were calling 

 loudly all around, and as I passed the watercourse I saw 

 a jackal skulking along its bed. I stopped, shook my 

 jingling affair, and listened several times as I went 

 along, but to no purpose. 



Whilst ascending the opposite side of the ravine I 

 heard a slight noise like the crackling of a dry leaf : I 

 paused, and turning to the left, fronted the spot from 



