CHAPTER XXVII 



BY the time all our arrangements had been completed, it 

 was already two o'clock, and yet we sat on patiently till 

 four, keeping as still as our cramped position would admit 

 of, when, about an hour later, a crowd of parrots suddenly 

 rose from a neighbouring tree, and, circling around it for 

 a time, screaming loudly, eventually flew off. 



Almost immediately after this was heard the sound of 

 a soft but heavy footstep cautiously approaching us from 

 this direction. Unfortunately, just at this moment, a 

 red tree ant bit me on the hand, and, in trying to shake it 

 off, I brushed against some leaves, causing a slight noise. 



Immediately the footsteps ceased, and, after a moment's 

 pause, were heard again, but now going away from us till 

 they seemed to die away in the distance. However, about 

 twenty minutes later, during which time we had sat in 

 almost breathless silence, we heard them again approaching. 

 Judging from this that the animal, whatever it was, had 

 not as yet detected us, we held our breath, and, with 

 our eyes riveted on a small gap in the jungle, anxiously 

 awaited its approach. 



Nearer and nearer came the sound of the footsteps, till 

 I could see the jungle slightly waving, and the next moment 

 I caught a glimpse of a large tiger in the gap, crouched 

 almost flat with the ground, evidently sneaking up towards 

 the " kill." There was no time to fire, nor would it have 

 been advisable to do so, for it was hardly a second passing 

 the gap, and there was every reason to suppose we should 

 presently obtain a better shot as it emerged into the 

 clearing. 



But, alas ! there was no such luck in store for us, for 

 although we remained up in the platform till the sinking 

 sun warned us it was time to go, we neither heard nor saw 

 it again that day. It had evidently detected us in the 



211 



