BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! 



347 



There he is ! " whispered Dick. 



"I see him!" said Mr. Godkin; "don't stir!" 



The eyes of both were fixed on the long stretch of jungle when they observed a 

 beast that was undoubtedly a tiger, moving in a direction parallel to the wood. He 

 walked slowly, and stopped after going about a dozen yards. 



He acted as if he was not quite satisfied with the 

 looks of things, and was reconnoitering the bamboo 

 hut before venturing to pay it closer attention. 



" I think we had better go inside," added 

 Mr. Godkin, in the same guarded undertone. 



The precaution was wise, and the youth made 

 no objection, for it seemed reasonable to believe 

 that their presence was likely to tempt the beast 

 to attack them. 



" Now," added the man, " if he will be con- 

 siderate enough to let us alone we will recipro- 

 cate." 



" I don't understand why he has held off so 

 long," replied Dick, who, standing back out 

 of the moonlight, kept his eyes on 

 the beast in such plain sight. 



" They are very cunning at times. 

 He is suspicious, too, and, I suppose, 

 he doesn't exactly understand how 

 things are here." 



" Good gracious ! " 



There was cause for the latter 

 exclamation, for the tiger acted as 

 though all misgiving on his part had 

 vanished. Having stood motionless 

 for two or three minutes he began 

 stealthily approaching the hut, as if 

 he hesitated no longer about making an assault. 



" We musn't lie idle while he does that" said Dick, raising his gun. 



" The time hasn't come to fire." 



" I know that, but it is time to be ready." 



" No matter what happens, don't shoot until you get the word from me ; I'm afraid 

 you will be too rash. Now is the time, my boy, for coolness and presence of mind." 



" Absence of body would be much better," thought Dick, though he said nothing. 



It was an impressive sight when the royal Bengal tiger advanced directly toward 

 the hut, his terrible head aloft, and his tail vibrating gently from side to side. He 

 emitted no growl, and, since the two in the hut were silent, the stillness was oppres- 

 sive to a degree. 



A SERPENT CHARMER. 



