88 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



rees retired to a few yards' distance, and in turn 

 inhaled the fumes of coarse native tobacco, drawn 

 through a hollow bone. Each clasped his hands 

 firmly round one end, thus forming a smoke-tight 

 medium through which to inhale. He then applied 

 his lips to a small aperture left between the thumbs, 

 and in this way had his smoke without polluting 

 the bone with his mouth. A very few whiffs revive 

 them wonderfully. It is only in the absence of 

 their better pipes, that so primitive a method of 

 smoking is resorted to. 



The hunters were much pleased at this auspicious 

 commencement of the sporting campaign. Rugo- 

 nauth, too, gravely and sedately rejoiced over the 

 death of the first tiger he had shown ; and predicted 

 great subsequent sport, and consequent emolument 

 to himself. Nor did he object to a glass of brandy, 

 which his masters offered him, to drink to their 

 continued success. 



It must not be supposed that the encounter from 

 first to last occupied but a brief half-hour. From 

 the time the beaters were first put in, to the death, 

 it may have lasted two or three hours. 



Neither must it be supposed that any very 

 unusual number of bullets were expended before the 

 final one was fired. It is not often that a close shot 

 is obtained under such favourable circumstances aa 



