OF THE OLD WORLD. 129 



rived at a spot which commanded a view of the 

 ravine, I sent them to climb different trees. 



Kistimah begged hard to be allowed to accom- 

 pany me, as he said this tiger never attacked a man 

 in front, but always from behind ; but I would not 

 permit him, as I thought that two people would per- 

 haps scare the animal, and his footsteps might pre- 

 vent me from hearing any sound, intimating his 

 approach. 



The sun had almost set as I proceeded .slowly 

 down the road, and, although I was perfectly cool 

 and as steady as possible, I felt cold drops of per- 

 spiration start from my forehead as I approached 

 the spot where so many victims had been sacrificed. 

 I passed the rock, keeping well on the look-out, lis- 

 tening carefully for the slightest sound, and I re- 

 member feeling considerably annoyed by the chirp- 

 ing made by a couple of little bulbuls, (Indian night- 

 ingales,) that were fighting in a bush close to the 

 roadside. Partridges were calling loudly all around, 

 and as I passed the watercourse 1 saw a jackal skulk- 

 ing along its bed. I stopped, shook my jingling 

 affair, and listened several times as I went along, but 

 to no purpose. 



Whilst ascending the opposite side of the ravine 

 I heard a slight noise like the crackling of a dry 

 leaf : I paused, and turning to the left, fronted the 

 spot from whence I thought the noise proceeded. I 

 distinctly saw a movement or waving in the high 



I 



