MAEKED INTO THE " BLACK GAP. 361 



became lost to view near an overhanging cliff. For 

 another half-hour he remained still and motionless ; 

 then quietly descending from his perch, he cau- 

 tiously glided through the jungle to the trees in 

 which were posted his fellow look-outs. 



He found that two of them had also seen the 

 animal ; so leaving them with strict injunctions to 

 keep a wary watch on the place, he started to 

 inform the sportsmen of his successful reconnaissance, 

 at the same time despatching one of his comrades 

 to apprise Rugonauth. 



Our friends were not prepared for such early 

 news ; but while the beaters were being assembled, 

 they expeditiously breakfasted and arranged them- 

 selves in their shooting toggery. 



Old E-ugonauth had got on the track of the same 

 tiger, which he was carefully following up when 

 met by Roopur's messenger. Accordingly he gave 

 up the scent and stopped at some little distance from 

 the " Black Gap " the name by which the place was 

 known in the neighbourhood and there awaited 

 the arrival of the hunters. 



This took place before long ; and on consulting 

 Roopur as to the nature of the ground, they had 

 little difficulty in arranging the manner in which it 

 should be beaten. 



A strong party under Roopur himself was de- 



