408 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



recent footprint left it on that side. This was, ere 

 long, found to be the case, and Roopur saw at once 

 that the trail was that of his hated enemy. Had it 

 been that of another tiger, he would have left his 

 companions to pursue it, or call Rugonauth for 

 that purpose, for he himself had vowed to let 

 nothing divert his attention from the pug of the 

 twisted foot. 



The ground was favourable for tracking ; and the 

 trail being but a few hours old, the pugges ran on 

 the scent breast-high. They carried it towards the 

 river, which it entered, and the marks plainly indi- 

 cated to these acute woodsmen where the animal 

 had stopped to drink. From this it had turned, 

 and followed the course of the river. 



Where the jungle became thick, they left the 

 immediate trail, and cast round to hit on the place 

 of exit. They did not expect that it had yet taken 

 up its position for the day, but this was a quicker 

 method than following on the trail through thick 

 cover. In this way several thick patches of jungle 

 were passed, the animal having apparently gone 

 straight through them, with little or no delay. But 

 Roopur was prepared to be led a long stern-chase 

 by the cunning animal, whose habits he had learnt 

 to know so well. As they got further on, he cer- 

 tainly found it had turned here and there, probably 



