OF THE OLD WORLD. fS03 



rounding jungles. We had beaten our way steadily 

 through almost half the patch, when we heard a low 

 grumbling, which appeared to proceed from a large 

 bush much overgrown with creepers and high spear- 

 grass. 



" Dekho ! sahib, dekho ! " (look, sir, look !) cried 

 Chineah, throwing a couple of lighted rockets into 

 the retreat, which evidently annoyed her, although 

 they had not the effect of causing her to break — for 

 she set up a low angry growl which lasted some 

 time. Two or three times I thought I saw the 

 bush shake as if she was about to spring, and once 

 I caught a hurried glimpse of her outline, and 

 threw up my rifle, but I put it down again as I did 

 not like to fire a chance shot with uncertain aim. 



Again Chineah's rockets flew hissing about her, 



and one of them caused her to move, for B 



caught sight of her, and let drive right and left 

 when out she sprang with an appalling roar, and 

 struck down poor Ali, who, notwithstanding my 

 orders, had separated himself from the rest in order 

 to pick up a stone to throw into the bush. His 

 piercing death-shriek rang through the night air, 

 striking terror on every heart ; and, although I felt 

 that I was too late to save him, I determined he 

 should be amply revenged, and dashed forward to- 

 wards the spot where the infuriated tigress was 

 savagely growling, as she still shook the senseless 

 but quivering body of her victim. No sooner did I 

 get a glimpse of her than I knew that I was per- 



