26 THE EASTEEN HUNTEES. 



tweeu the demeanour of him who brought true and 

 certain information, and the bearing of him whose 

 khubber was suspicious or doubtful. They both 

 felt that in this instance game had actually been 

 seen and marked down, and that it was not a beat 

 on speculation or chance they had been summoned 

 to undertake. 



It was with a grunt of assent and approval from 

 several of the bystanders most of whom were 

 staring open-mouthed at the Englishmen, but rarely 

 seen in those remote regions that Kugonauth made 

 his report, and detailed how a tiger was then lying 

 in a thick patch of jow (Bastard cypress), which 

 grew plentifully in the bed of the neighbouring 

 river. Before he had concluded, several of the 

 most prominent chimed in with excited exclama- 

 tions ; being probably those who had themselves 

 seen, or assisted in tracking, the tiger. 



But they were vigorously suppressed by Kugo- 

 nauth, who did not approve of his duties being thus 

 interfered with, or possibly, his share of credit dimi- 

 nished. 



When, however, lie had finished his statement, 

 he called one or two of the local shikarees, and in 

 conjunction with them discussed the plan of 

 operations. 



Before signifying their approval of the plan, the 



