CHAPTER X 



THE somewhat gruesome series of incidents just recorded 

 recall to my mind, possibly because of its contrast, a 

 distinctly more amusing episode in which a leopard also 

 played the most important part, and as this incident 

 occurred shortly after I had heard of the Man-Eater's 

 performances, I recall it here in the hope that it may serve 

 as an antidote, if nothing else, to the harrowing story 

 which precedes it. 



This extraordinary and somewhat comical adventure 

 occurred in an out-of-the-way district of Bengal one of 

 the very few which still retain some traces of their primitive 

 condition, despite the vandalism of the present age. 



In the remotest corner of this district, perched on the 

 summit of one of the many hills that stand like sentinels 

 on its border, is a military station, which at the time was 

 garrisoned by the th Native Infantry. Amongst the 

 sporting officers of this very sporting regiment there was 

 none keener than its doctor, a young Scotchman, who, 

 having more leisure than the others, devoted most of it 

 to sport. 



He had spent many a long day roaming amongst the 

 hills, but without any success ; then resorted to sitting up 

 at nights, watching over " kills." Unfortunately, the 

 animals he awaited were evidently watching too, for so 

 long as he was awake none approached the kill. Yet often 

 the next morning he found it dragged away. However, 

 he continued these nightly vigils till a sharp attack of 

 fever, due to the exposure, nearly ended his career. He 

 was laid up for a month, and during this period of enforced 

 idleness conceived the brilliant scheme which led to this 

 adventure. 



A day or two after his recovery the news of a recent 

 " kill " gave him the opportunity of testing the new plan. 

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