FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE TIGER. 83 



high enough to have served as a protection from a 

 tiger's spring in event of his making so determined 

 an assault on the position. The others were at a 

 sufficient elevation to ensure safety in any case. 



In a short while, the yelling chorus of the beaters 

 announced that they had commenced operations ; 

 and the fizzing and spluttering of some flower-pots 

 and bamboo-rockets, which heralded their advance, 

 proclaimed that such light skirmishers were deemed 

 desirable to clear the way ; and they were doubtless 

 right, for it was naturally more than usually repug- 

 nant to the tiger's feelings to have his repose 

 disturbed, when the satisfactory nature of his mid- 

 night or morning meal rendered him unwilling to 

 be discourteously intruded on. 



Not a sign had he yet given of his presence ; 

 and, as the beaters approached the end of the patch, 

 the hunters were beginning to think he must be 

 lying elsewhere. Norman had just come to this 

 conclusion, when he saw a majestic tiger walk 

 calmly out of the jungle, and stand gazing straight 

 before him, evidently not quite decided about 

 making a rush over the open space in front. Nor- 

 man brought up his rifle and covered him ; but 

 waited for a nearer shot, if possible. His patience 

 was rewarded. The beast advanced another twenty 

 yards at a walk directly towards Norman, and again 



G 2 



