184 THE EASTERN HUNTEES. 



" No, Sahib," replied the attendant. " I only 

 spoke for you to be prepared. I have not seen him, 

 but the monkeys must have done so." 



The chattering soon diminished. Ilawkes, how- 

 ever, kept a vigilant look-out near the spot where 

 the monkeys were still moving about the trees, but 

 in an undecided sort of way. He was beginning to 

 think there must have existed some other cause for 

 their excitement, when he felt a twitch at his 

 coat. 



He turned sharply, and his gun-bearer pointed 

 down into the nullah, which entered the ravine 

 nearly at right-angles, and which formed a portion 

 of his watch and ward. He followed the direction 

 of the man's finger, and peered into the thick under- 

 growth at the foot of the trees which grew plentiful 

 at the spot, without, for a few seconds, discerning 

 anything. Quickly, however, he caught sight of an 

 object moving in the shade ; and, as it passed across 

 a more open space, saw it was a tiger sneaking along 

 with the head and body low ; its whole back, from 

 the snout to the setting on of the tail, appeared to 

 form one straight line, the latter appendage being 

 carried in a drooping state. 



His rifle was quickly brought to bear, and he let 

 drive both barrels in rapid succession, rolling the 

 tiger over ; but it immediately recovered itself, 



