324 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



another bend of the river, they hoped to reach a 

 favourable spot to command its bed lower down, 

 before the tiger should have time to pass it. Arrived 

 at the place in question, they waited in concealment 

 for some time, but without seeing anything more of 

 the animal. Shortly their attention was attracted 

 to a small knot of men up the stream, and these 

 they made out to be Kugonauth and the other 

 Shikarees on the old track of the tiger. They were 

 soon, however, seen to leave the trail, and go 

 towards the place where the beaters and ponies had 

 been left, probably having been warned of what had 

 occurred. They were next seen to cross the road, 

 and pull up dead at the spot where the tiger had 

 passed. A very brief examination seemed to satisfy 

 them. They then continued on the track of the 

 sportsmen, whom they soon joined in their place of 

 ambush. 



They were quickly in possession of the facts of 

 the case ; and on learning that the tiger was un- 

 doubtedly wounded, and was believed not to have 

 passed the place at present occupied, Kugoiiauth's 

 measures were promptly taken. 



He knew that the beast had not left the river on 

 the side on which they now wore, between them and 

 the road, or he should have found the pug when 

 following the trail of the hunters. Dividing his 



