250 SPORTING AND 



part, or even the displacing of a stone or 

 a bone with my foot might lead to my 

 instant destruction ; you can, therefore 

 imagine how daintily I stepped, stopping 

 every few seconds to listen attentively, 

 hoping to make out his whereabouts by 

 his heavy breathing. At last I heard it, 

 and my heart gave such a bound of joy 

 that I feared very much the tiger might 

 also have heard that ; but, on my again 

 breathlessly listening, I was glad to find 

 all was quiet, and the sound of his deep 

 breathing was now confirmed. I stood 

 still to consider what my next move should 

 be, and all at once the idea struck me 

 why not remain where I was ? The deep 

 gloom gave me as great an advantage 

 as it gave him ; and I thought that 

 if he came out of his den to yawn 

 and stretch himself, what a splendid 



