34 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



branches would bear him, he was not more than 

 twelve feet from the ground. 



"We can't get the marker to speak, Sahib," 

 shouted Rugonauth, "but he is pointing towards 

 the tiger ; and on this side we can see the bushes 

 moving where he is tearing them in pain." And 

 in effect, the two friends also saw from their place, 

 the tops of some of the larger jow bushes swaying 

 to and fro. 



After a brief colloquy, it was determined that all 

 three of the hunters should join on the other side ; 

 and, should the beast not prove amenable to all 

 their persuasive efforts to rouse him, advance 

 directly on the place of his retreat. But before 

 performing this dangerous manoeuvre, they decided 

 to exhaust all possible means of inducing him to 

 show. 



It occurred to Norman, that if the marker could 

 be induced to get the brute to charge up to his tree, 

 they might roll him over as he crossed an inter- 

 vening open space. At any rate, the man was 

 safe, covered as he was by the three sportsmen then 

 standing not more than twenty yards from him. 



The man was appealed to in affecting terms by 

 Rugonauth ; but, shivering with fright, he steadily 

 declined to hold any verbal communication what- 

 soever.- 



