TIGERLAND 



much less upset into a ditch, especially if portly and 

 irascible. So H - was promptly ordered to keep the 

 beast confined. A sty was therefore hastily constructed, 

 and into it the boar was with some difficulty introduced, 

 but he resented the confinement, grunting his disapproval 

 till far into the night. The next morning the sty was 

 found in ruins, but of the occupant there was no sign 

 whatever, for Jungli, evidently indignant at " the liberty 

 of the subject " being inter ef red with, had departed in the 

 night. 



A month or so later, the young planter was one evening 

 seated at the dinner table, when suddenly a tremendous 

 uproar was heard outside, and from the loud barking of the 

 dogs it was evident some wild animal was prowling round 

 the bungalow. Jumping up quickly, he seized his gun 

 and, slipping in two cartridges, went on to the verandah, 

 when, by the light reflected from within, he saw a huge, 

 gaunt, mud-covered creature standing on the walk, sur- 

 rounded by the dogs. Presently the animal caught sight 

 of him, and breaking through the yelping crowd, came 

 galloping towards him. But, strange to say, H - felt no 

 fear, for even in that dim, uncertain light something in 

 the appearance of the animal had struck him as being 

 familiar. A moment later the beast was close beside him, 

 and, putting a cold, muddy nose into his hand, looked up 

 into his face. There was no room for further doubt, for, 

 as he had already guessed, the gaunt, mud-beplastered 

 beast was Jungli ! 



Examining him closer, H found an arrow-head 



embedded in the muscles of the shoulder some native 

 hunter's arrow, of which the shaft had been broken 

 leaving the head inside. He extracted it at once, though 

 not without some difficulty, and dressed the wound. It 

 healed up in time, and, well fed and cared for, the animal 

 recovered. His friendship with the Arab was renewed, 

 and the two seemed faster friends than ever. But the 

 love of a roving life, inherent in the beast, and perhaps 

 increased by its late wanderings, was, apparently, too 

 strong to be resisted, and one morning the sty was 

 again found broken, and Jungli once more absent without 

 leave. All the country round was searched, but to no 

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