ADVENTURES IN CAMP AND JUNGLE. 253 



and wild beasts. The work of destruction is greatly assisted 

 by birds, which carry the seeds of the banian, pepul, and 

 other trees. These, dropping into the crevices of the stone- 

 work, germinate and throw out roots, speedily rending roofs 

 and walls. I believe some little has been done by the Dhar 

 Kajah to protect the ruins, but the extent of the buildings is 

 great, and the tropical growth too powerful, to give any hope 

 that an impression will be made on the slow and sure work 

 of time. 



I was camped with Captain Blowers in the old city, and 

 had, as usual, sent my men out into the jungle. About 10 

 A.M. they sent us word that they had marked down a tiger 

 close to the gateway of the fort. On proceeding to the spot 

 they showed us a mass of high grass and bushes, in the bed 

 of an old artificial reservoir, formed in the jungle by throwing 

 a bank across a watercourse. The place was quite dry, the 

 action of the water having cut a deep gap in the embank- 

 ment. We approached the spot very quietly, and I took up 

 a position in a tree on the bank of the nullah below. I then 

 sent instructions to the men to advance slowly towards the 

 tiger, tapping the trees with their sticks, but without making 

 any very great uproar. The result was as I had anticipated. 

 The tigress, for it was a lady, came stealthily down the 

 watercourse towards me, and was laid low by a couple of 

 shots. My friend was in another tree about fifty yards off. 

 We had tossed for choice of positions, and he had lost, but as he 

 did not pretend to be a hunter, it was a matter of no regret 

 to either. 



I had heard of game in the rugged country lying on the 

 banks of the Mhye, to the north of Sirdarpore, and accord- 

 ingly I trysted Ward to meet me at Burmundel, a village 

 about sixteen miles from the cantonment. Near this place, 



