AN UNSUCCESSFUL BEAT. 245 



the jungle grew thick and luxuriant, with fine forest 

 trees here and there rising from amidst it. It was a 

 place which might be full of game, but the difficulty 

 would consist in finding it. 



Eugonauth had not yet come in, but he had 

 despatched a man to advise the Sahibs, on their 

 arrival, that he was on the pug of a very large tiger. 

 About mid-day, the old fellow himself made his 

 appearance, and he then informed them that, though 

 he had not positively been able to mark the beast 

 down, owing to the extent and thickness of the 

 jungle, he had good reason to believe that it had 

 taken up its position in a rocky ravine about a mile 

 distant. 



On their way to the spot, the animal's pugs were 

 shown to them in several places ; indeed, during the 

 night it had evidently been wandering in the imme- 

 diate neighbourhood of the village. 



The ravine a mere rocky chasm, which seemed 

 a collection of low jungle-covered eminences was 

 beaten by the few men assembled, but in vain. If 

 " stripe-jacket '' had found Ids way into it during 

 the course of his morning's rambles, he had also 

 found his way out again. It is true that only some 

 thirty beaters could be mustered, and those included 

 a third of the number brought on from Oonge ; but 

 the gully itself was narrow, and enclosed within 



