SIO THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



see every part of the grotto distinctly. The cavern 

 appeared to be about seventy yards long by forty 

 wide, and varying from ten to sixty feet in height ; 

 it was vaulted with live rock covered all over with 

 elegantly-formed stalactites which glittered like bril- 

 liants from the reflection of the blue-lights. The 

 ground was very uneven, and covered with fine 

 sand, except on one side, where there were enormous 

 boulders of black granite. We saw several fissures 

 and crevices, which appeared to be passages stretch- 

 ing out further in difierent directions into the bowels 

 of the earth, but did not care to explore them on 

 account of the close heat and insupportable stench, as 

 well as for fear of snakes and scorpions, several of 

 which reptiles we discerned moving about the place. 



We therefore wrote our names and the date on a 

 huge slab of smooth rock with charcoal, for the 

 benefit of any one who might come after us, and 

 retraced our steps into daylight, glad to breathe the 

 fresh air once more. 



We found that the Gooroo and Veerapah had 

 finished skinning the tigress, and were busily en- 

 gaged in searching for our bullets ; she had received 

 five wounds, besides the last, which entered between 

 the eyes and penetrated the brain, causing instan- 

 taneous death. The tiger had been skinned in the 

 morning, having been previously carried some dis- 

 tance away from the lake for fear the scent of blood 

 might taint the air, and prevent other animals from 

 approaching the spot to drink. He proved to be a 



