THE FINAL EFFORT 



lay concealed, and opposite which was another deserted 

 homestead where the Man-Eater had once killed. Sub- 

 sequently several deserted houses were found in the village, 

 which covered a considerable area, also the potsherds, near 

 the place where the old man's wife was killed. 



The elephants were now put into the cane jungle, the 

 howdahs with the guns accompanying the line, the patch 

 of cover being too small to necessitate their being posted. 

 It was indeed an anxious moment. Most, if not all, the 

 sportsmen present had been out, time without number, 

 during the past twenty months in the hope of encountering 

 and putting an end to this ruthless slayer of women and 

 children. 



They had toiled for many a livelong day, in broiling 

 heat and drenching rain, only to return to camp, again and 

 again, hopeless and dejected, and with the knowledge, 

 born of past experience, that even while they were hunting 

 for it, it was probably adding other victims to its score 

 several miles away ! 



But now everything seemed to point to success, and all 

 conditions favourable. The crops were down, and the 

 animal, it was alleged, had actually just been seen to enter 

 this very jungle where it could not have escaped without 

 showing itself. No fresh kill had been reported since the 

 one they were now concerned with. Hope was therefore 

 strong in the breast of every sportsman there, each praying 

 that his might be the lucky shot that would rid the country 

 of this terrible scourge, and restore peace and security 

 to a people now well-nigh maddened with terror and 

 despair. 



The line beating close and carefully had nearly reached 

 the end of the cover, when suddenly a leopard jumped 

 up from almost under the feet of one of the howdah ele- 

 phants, and was immediately fired at, but broke back. 

 The line was quickly wheeled round and surrounded the 

 spot where it was last seen, and as the elephants converged 

 towards the centre, the animal appeared again, receiving 

 another salute from the same howdah, which apparently 

 took effect, for it acknowledged it with a growl of dis- 

 approval as it rushed through one side of the circle and on 

 to the further end of the cover. 



79 



