STARTLED FEOM SLUM13EK. 261 



into the moonlight across a little bit of open ground 

 which bordered the pool, and commenced drinking. 



The iioise of its lapping was quite audible, and 

 the fore part of its form stood out prominently, well 

 defined against the moonlit water. 



Cautiously the rifle was brought to bear, and 

 Norman pulled ; then, without waiting to see the 

 effect of the first shot, rapidly drew the second 

 trigger also. 



A tremendous roar, and the beast sprang into the 

 air and rolled over ; but almost immediately got up 

 and dashed into the jungle. 



This sudden awakening of the jungle echoes was 

 instantaneously followed by a howl from the tree 

 opposite. Then an ejaculation of "Halloo! what 

 the devil ! what's the row I Where the deuce 

 anil?" 



" Can you see him 1 " roared Norman. " He is 

 hard hit, he is hard hit." 



" See what ? What's hard hit ? Hold your row, 

 you infernal nigger. What is it all about ? " 



" Oh, Bopperie ! " cried the native. " I thought 

 the tiger was in the niuchan. Oh, pardon, Sahib ! " 

 he continued, as certain sounds indicated that Mac- 

 kenzie was cuffing the frightened Bappoo, who, 

 suddenly awakened from pleasant dreams by the 

 rifle crack and tiger's roar, had instantly started up 



