CHAPTER XV. 



THE NEILGHERRIES CONTINUED. — A NIGHT AFFAIR. 



News of a tiger. — His last depredation. — The ambuscade. — Lying 

 in wait. — A night attack. — Exciting moments. — The spoiler 

 vanquished. — The return. — News of ibex, and an expedition 



to the Koondah range. — Ibex-stalking. — B 's wonderful 



shooting. — The game nearly lost. — The ibex described. — Re- 

 turn to Ooty. 



Time passed most pleasantly on the hills, for the 

 days were spent in exploring parties and field sports 

 of every description ; the evenings in social gather- 

 ings, enlivened by the presence of female society ; 

 and the nights in deliciously sound repose, which in 

 itself is one of the greatest luxuries an Anglo-Indian 

 can enjoy, for in the low country during the hot 

 season the unsupportably close and oppressive period 

 between sunset and early dawn is more distressing 

 and enervating than the intense heat of the day ; 

 for during this time not a breath of air agitates the 

 branches of the highest trees, candles burn in the 

 open air without flickering, the atmosphere is suf- 

 focatingly close, and unless the punkah is kept con- 



