222 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



bush, much overgrown with creepers and parasitical 

 plants, which was about half a dozen paces to lee- 

 ward of the carcass. By making my place of con- 

 cealment in the ground, I knew I should have a 

 better chance of getting a sight of the tiger, and 

 takinfj more certain aim in the dark, than if I was 

 perched in a tree above him, besides which it seemed 

 something more like fair play. Having lined my 

 place of ambuscade with a carpet, so as to make it 

 more comfortable, I carefully loaded my weapons, 

 which were two double ten-bore rifles, a double two- 

 ounce gun, and a brace of large double holster- 

 pistols ; arranged my comforts for the inner man, 

 consisting of a stone bottle of strong green tea, a 

 flask of brandy, and a huge pile of sandwiches ; and 

 ordered all my followers to return to Ooty, with the 

 horse, excepting Chineah and Googooloo, who were 

 to keep watch in the tree so as to be at hand in case 

 they might be wanted. 



All being prepared, as soon as the shadows of 

 evening began to lengthen we took post, and during 

 the few remaining hours of daylight I carefully 

 noted every bush and undulation in the ground, so 

 as to be better able to perceive anything in the 

 dark. As the day declined, the last rays of an un- 

 clouded sunset threw a rich purple haze over the 

 whole scene, and the many-tinted foliage of the sur- 

 rounding woods glistened with golden tints in the 

 light of departing day. 



The tuneful songsters ceased their warbling, and 



