28 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



of acting on it, after a few telegraphic signals had 

 passed between Rugonauth and two or three markers 

 placed in the dak trees I have mentioned. 



As the fairest plan, the positions were assigned 

 by lot. Three blades of grass of different lengths 

 quickly determined this. 



To Hawkes it fell to occupy a tree which over- 

 looked the jungle, about midway between the two 

 ends. While commanding its breadth, it also guarded 

 a nullah leading to the dense thicket not far from 

 the river bank. Mackenzie and Norman were sta- 

 tioned about thirty yards apart, on the high bank 

 above the water. Mackenzie was nearest to that 

 end of the cover which was opposite to the one 

 at which the beaters were assembled. He was 

 distant from it about a hundred yards. Each, as 

 in Hawkes' case, also held guard over a wooded 

 nullah, which ran from the jungle behind, to the 

 river. 



All were thus stationed on one and the same side 

 of the river, and between it and the thick jungle 

 behind. The other side was open, and presented no 

 inducement for the tiger to break in that direction, 

 indeed the village and its surrounding plot of 

 cleared land lay there. 



Having seen the sportsmen properly posted, Rugo- 

 nauth went off to get the beaters into line at their 



