MID-DAY IN THE JUNGLE. 51 



sinner well, judged that it was not altogether attri- 

 butable to the fatigues of the previous day ; but, in 

 part at least, to the copious libations which had, in 

 all probability, signalised the fall of the first tiger. 



Under these circumstances, it was determined to 

 try for samber and cheetul in the afternoon, in the 

 range of hills which rose from the plain on the 

 opposite side of the river. As a regular beat was 

 not contemplated, orders were issued for a couple of 

 experienced men only, belonging to the locality, to 

 be in attendance on each hunter at the hour of four. 

 Under the guidance of the village shikarees, well 

 acquainted with the neighbouring country, the 

 sportsmen hoped by stalking to secure a skin or 

 two, and some meat, both for themselves and the 

 people. 



Very tedious sometimes on shikar excursions are 

 the mid-day hours when unemployed in the chace ; 

 and weary seems the time till the approach of 

 evening enables the sportsman to stroll out with his 

 rifle or shot-gun, as taste dictates, in search of 

 game, for which it is hardly worth while to brave 

 the full fervour of the summer sun. 



The early morning and evening, too, is the time, 

 when the forest deer leave the thick and tangled 

 coverts in which they have sought rest and shelter, 

 and feed in the open pastures and glades in and 



K 2 



