64 THE TIGER. 



opposite ends. Then having opened out his patsoo, he 

 enclosed the packet, and placing it on a branch over 

 his shoulder, he marched away, after the fashion of a 

 country labourer. 



" The hunters returned through the forest, M. Thomas 

 Anquetil and the Baron walking ahead, in conversation. 



" Suddenly a warm breath passed over my cheek ; I 

 felt myself seized by my girdle from behind, and 

 the grave voice of Laos murmured rapidly these 

 words in my ear, * Take care, master ; do not ad- 

 vance.' 



"'What is it, then?' 



" ' A tiger ! ' said he, extending his arm. 



" This dialogue took place whilst I was taking down 

 my rifle, which was unfortunately fixed in my shoulder- 

 belt. 



" A little eminence of twelve or fifteen feet overhung 

 the route. Around a mango tree of moderate growth 

 was a cluster of flowering mallows. 



" The tiger, the position of whose body we could 

 guess at, but as yet we could only see his head, was 

 watching us with a fixed gaze, his back against the 

 tree, and his body bent under him, in order to give 

 double force to his spring. He was waiting until we 

 should arrive in front of him, to throw himself upon 

 us suddenly and at one bound ; the interval which 

 separated us was scarcely thirty yards. 



