AT LAST 115 



sensation to both of us, already worn out with watching, 

 that B. fell fast asleep, and it was only by fixing my 

 mind steadily on what was at stake, that I managed to 

 keep my eyes open. Four half-past four five. If 

 the tiger comes at all to-night, we may now expect 

 him every moment. Half-past five six half-past six. 

 B.'s still fast asleep. The old disappointed feeling is 

 beginning, despite all my efforts, to creep over me ; but 

 with a frantic effort I master it, and keep every sense 

 keener on the qui vive more than ever. Suddenly a 

 sight glided into view that roused me most effectually. 

 The great head, neck, forearms, and long, beautifully 

 marked back of mine enemy, the tigress, stood before 

 me ; she came, with her soft creeping strides, and sat 

 down behind a tree, and began to lick herself with the 

 thoughts of the delicious banquet she was just going to 

 indulge in. There are such things as slips between 

 the cup and the lips, so it proved with my grim-looking 

 foe. I took a good look ; I thought her lovely past 

 expression ; in fact, she was * beautiful ' ; her soft, white, 

 but most massive chest, her immense arms, her beautiful 

 head, so long as you did not look at that cold, blood- 

 thirsty eye, the perfect symmetry of her graceful form 

 all were noticed and appreciated in that, I think, most 

 exciting moment of my life. I turned cautiously to 

 Brine ; he was fast asleep, caught like a bag of sawdust 

 in the branches ; the old fever-worn frame is not able 

 to stand so long a stress as in former days. I 

 chirped like a bird (the signal of tiger), but for some 

 time in vain ; my hair stood like a toothbrush with 

 fear and anxiety. At last I caught his eye, and one 

 glance at me was enough to put him all on the qui 

 vive. Turning gently, I saw her royal highness still 

 there, and saw she intended sitting there till dark. 

 She was about 25 yards off, and I made up my mind 



I 



