A NOVEL WATCH-POST 



Having passed the day as pleasantly as I could in my 

 confined and uncomfortable quarters, as evening approached 

 I went into the jungle and superintended the placing of the 

 " baits." Then, explaining to the villagers that, with food 

 thus provided for them, the tigers were not likely to attack 

 the village, I induced them to go quietly to sleep, and so 

 enjoyed a more restful night myself. Early the next 

 morning the man deputed to visit the " baits " returned 

 with the news that one of the cows could not be found. 

 Making a hurried breakfast, and taking my rifle with me, 

 and some men, I started off to seek the missing cow. On 

 our way we came across the fresh track of three tigers, 

 showing distinctly in the patches of white sand which 

 occasionally crossed our path. The tracks were evidently 

 of two full-grown tigers, probably a male and female, and 

 one half -grown cub. Arriving at the tree near which the 

 missing cow had been tied, we found a piece of broken 

 rope, and also that the grass around had all been beaten 

 down in a circle, and stained here and there with blood. 

 Leading from this circle in the direction of the heavier 

 cover beyond, was a broad, tunnel-like path, freshly made 

 through the high grass, and following this up for some 

 fifty yards or so, we came to very heavy jungle of creepers, 

 prickly pears, and thick bush about eight feet in height. 

 In the midst of this, and half concealed from view, was the 

 carcass of the cow. Its neck seemed broken, and there 

 was a deep wound in the throat. Here was a difficulty I 

 had not anticipated, for that the tiger might break the rope 

 and drag his " kill " so far had not occurred to me. The 

 spot in which the cow now lay was invisible from the tree 

 near which it had been tied, and there was no other tree 

 or bush close by on which I could sit and watch the " kill." 

 However, the opportunity was too good to be lost, for I 

 felt sure the tiger would return ; so, forcing my way 

 through the thick growth by which we were now surrounded, 

 I worked round in a circle till I came upon the hollow 

 stump of what had once been a tree. It was a mere shell 

 of bark, about two feet in diameter, and some five feet 

 high, an ideal watch-tower from which I could see yet not 

 be seen. I found I could get comfortably inside it, and, 

 by placing a stool to stand upon, my arms would be free 



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