2 A TIGER AND FEVER DEN. 



When commanding a detachment in the East, I had 

 an assistant surgeon attached to me for duty. He 

 was a tall, powerful, genial young Scotchman, a keen 

 hand with the rifle, and as partial to making use of 

 that weapon as it was possible for a human being to 

 be ; in fact, his craving to slay big game almost 

 amounted to a mania. His name I may as well 

 mention, for he has long joined the vast majority ; it 

 was Vans Best, the son, I think, of a north-country 

 banker. I daresay there are some remaining who 

 were in China with us between the years 1857 and 

 1 86 1 who will remember "the Doctor's " towering 

 figure, followed closely by his black Foikeen dog, that 

 enjoyed life and reputation under the fostering name 

 of "Peats." 



But to return to the Sunderbunds. Vans Best re- 

 solved when, time and circumstances occurred to suit 

 his purpose, that he would apply for leave to explore 

 that portion of the delta that adjoins on the Hoogly, 

 hoping and trusting that the fickle jade Fortune 

 would smile upon him, and give him a chance to 

 empty his rifle upon a worthy target. But luck was 

 not propitiated even by the ardour and pluck of the 

 adventurous young sportsman, although he remained 

 on his tour for many days, and searched and navi- 

 gated every bay and estuary that promised from 

 appearances, a prospect of gratifying his craving. 

 " Spoor " the Doctor found everywhere in abundance ; 

 tell-tale "pugs " informed him that tigers, buffalo and 

 even rhinoceri were all familiar with these almost 

 unknown jungles, but so impenetrable were they that 

 to follow up the tracks was an utter impossibility. 

 However, his trip did not terminate . without an 

 adventure that might have proved serious. In the 

 long dank jungle-grass he stepped upon something 

 that evidently had life. With a natural instinct he 

 sprang a pace or two on one side, when to his amaze- 

 ment an immense serpent raised its head several feet 



