80 THE EASTERN HUXTERS. 



take our rifles in case of accident. Never mind 

 your trowsers, Hawkes. We are not going to look 

 for the tiger now. I shall go as I am ; " and Mack- 

 enzie led the way in drawers and slippers. 



After leaving orders for the instant preparation 

 of breakfast, and sending a summons to the village 

 for the collection of the beaters, the three started off 

 in their light and easy morning costume to inspect 

 the scene of the kill. 



This proved to be not more than a quarter 

 of a mile from the camp. Conducted by the un- 

 lucky owner of the cow, accordingly, they soon 

 reached it, and found the animal as described. It 

 had been struck down almost without a struggle, as 

 the ground on examination proved. After sucking 

 the blood, the slayer had commenced his feeding 

 operations on the body as is usually the case 

 from the hinder part, a considerable portion of which 

 had been disposed of. 



The carcase lay about a hundred yards from the 

 outskirts of the jungle ; and as the hunters were 

 casting about for the returning track of the tiger, 

 old Rugonauth himself was seen approaching with 

 another man. 



" Ah I " he exclaimed, sotto vocc, as he joined the 

 little party, " it's all right, Sahibs. The tiger is in 

 the jungle. See, here is his pug right for it. We 



