MiLITA RY AD VENTURES. 309 



I now heard great shouting down the 

 road, and very soon my palki bearers 

 approached most cautiously, calling out to 

 me to know if I was alive, of which, from 

 their manner, they had very little hopes. I 

 shouted to them in return, and then they 

 ran up to me, and I really believe were 

 heartily glad to see me safe and sound. 

 It appeared from their version of the story, 

 that while they were jogging along in the 

 dark, the bearers ahead had suddenly seen 

 the tiger's eyes flaming at them from 

 under a bush : not thinking he was per- 

 ceived, he no doubt had intended to let 

 them pass and spring out on the rear 

 man ; but all the bearers taking fright, 

 the clatter of the falling palanquin must 

 have upset his nerves for a time, and he 

 therefore let the whole party escape 

 myself happily among the rest and hence 



