A DEAD BUCK. 57 



after looking suspiciously up and down the path, 

 crossed it with deliberation and disappeared in the 

 jungle on the other side, and its place was almost 

 immediately taken by the owner of the horns. One 

 moment was sufficient to draw the bead upon his 

 shoulder ; in another the " thud " of the rifle bullet 

 announced the trueness of the aim, and the gallant 

 buck cheetul, with a bullet through his heart, was 

 lying dead in his tracks. 



As the sharp rifle-crack echoed through the wood, 

 two or three does bounded across the path like mere 

 flashes, and were quickly lost in the dense cover on 

 the other side. 



As Norman and his attendant stood examining 

 the beautiful creature, and admiring its fine pro- 

 portions, the other villager added himself to the 

 group with a movement so stealthy as scarcely tq 

 attract attention. 



"Very good, Sahib!" was his first exclamation. 

 " That bullet was well sent. I hope the sound of 

 the gun has not disturbed the samber." 



" Then you have seen some ? " was Norman's 

 quick demand, as he reloaded his empty rifle. 

 " Where are they 1 " 



" There are seven feeding on the grass land I 

 mentioned, Sahib. Your slave has seen them, but 

 they may have heard the noise and made off." 



