84 THE EASTERN HUNTEBS. 



stopped, anxiously trying to make out if any enemy 

 waited near the dreaded ground in front, in tra- 

 versing which he must be fully exposed. He was 

 distant not more than thirty yards, and the next 

 step would take him from the shelter of the last 

 of the scattered bushes which dotted the extremity 

 of the jungle. The trigger was touched, and the 

 rifle crack was the first intimation the beaters 

 had of the proximity of the game. This was in- 

 stantaneously followed by a succession of roars, 

 which sent them flying out of the jungle, and into 

 all the available trees near. The tiger answered 

 to the bullet-blow by reeling ; but immediately 

 recovering himself, dashed away, tail on end, up the 

 bank, and close by the position occupied by Nor- 

 man. But the disadvantage of firing from trees is 

 that, from being in a fixed position, it is difficult to 

 adapt one's movements so as to aim except in cer- 

 tain directions. Norman had not anticipated the 

 beast passing behind him, and was unable, therefore, 

 so to screw himself round as to bring his rifle to 

 bear. The beast rushed by, and receiving, without 

 apparent harm, a bullet each from Hawkes and 

 Mackenzie, effected his object, gained the second 

 jungle, and disappeared within its tangled cover. 



Rugonauth and Manajec soon came up, and, after 

 a hurried consultation, it was decided to make as 



