88 THE EASTEEN HUNTEES, 



juugle he had before remarked in the bottom of the 

 river bed ; and there, staring towards the tree as if 

 endeavouring to make out his concealed enemy and 

 the cause of the disturbance, was the tiger, looking 

 very sick. Norman could just make out the head 

 and shoulders in the deep shade ; and, notwith- 

 standing the irritation caused by his pertinacious 

 assailants, steadied himself for a shot, and the tiger 

 responded to it by disappearing in the bushes. 



Meanwhile some of the men had come round with 

 the fireworks, a few of which were lighted and 

 pitched into the jungle, but it was not deemed 

 advisable to let the men enter. They stood near 

 the outskirts, however, and shouted ; but none 

 discovered the whereabouts of the tio;er. After a 



O 



considerable time had been ineffectually consumed 

 in endeavouring to ascertain this, and old Rugonauth 

 had satisfied himself that the beast had not gone 

 towards Mackenzie's end of the jungle, that gentle- 

 man was sent for, and with Manajee shortly made 

 his appearance. 



After a brief discussion, they determined to 

 advance on the spot where Norman had last seen 

 and fired at the animal. 



This they did shoulder to shoulder, with rifles on 

 full cock, and men with the spare guns behind 

 them. There was much blood about, and some 



