AFTEE THE FRAY. 187 



" It's all serene, old fellow," was the reply. " 1 

 see him lying quite still, and dead as a door-nail. 

 There he is under the tree." 



" Ah ! I twig him," ejaculated Norman, and again 

 the rifle spoke. But this time there was no re- 

 sponsive roar. " Dead, I believe," he said. " Quick 

 there, gun-bearer, the other gun," and he seized 

 his second gun from the man, who now came 

 running up. 



It now occurred to Hawkes that he too might as 

 well provide himself with another weapon. So, 

 while Norman was reloading his rifle, with his gun 

 lying cocked before him all ready for use, in case 

 the tiger showed any signs of life, he looked about 

 for his attendant. 



" If you have quite recovered from your mad fit 

 of dancing and howling," said Norman, " I recom- 

 mend you, Hawkes, to get hold of another gun, and 

 we can then go down to the beast." 



This Hawkes was soon able to do ; for the gun- 

 bearer, seeing that the danger was past, descended 

 from his perch in a neighbouring tree, and ap- 

 proached his master with considerable misgivings 

 ns to the nature of his reception. 



With a hearty cuff, and an anathema on the poor 

 wretch's want of nerve, Hawkes took his gun, and 

 both the sportsmen descended, each from his side, 



