64 The Hunting Grounds 



had not been quite dead at this time, for there 

 were impressions as if she had made convulsive 

 clutches with her hands. 



I tracked him down this nullah for upwards of a 

 mile, until we came to a pool of water. The banks, 

 which had become steeper and higher, were co- 

 vered with dense thorny jungle, which waved 

 darkly over head. Here the pugs of the tiger 

 were much obliterated by the marks of other wild 

 animals, amongst which I noticed those of two 

 bears, a cheeta, arid innumerable signs of spotted 

 deer, pig, and jungle sheep. 



Near the other side of the pool I observed 

 marks as if he had again laid the body down, 

 whilst he drank, for there were impressions in the 

 sand, round which swarms of flies were buzzing, 

 and although there were no stains of blood to be 

 seen, I knew something must have attracted them ; 

 besides which, there were two distinct trails, which 

 showed that he had gone to the water, drank, and 

 returned to the body. 



As we continued on trail down the nullah, at 

 times we disturbed herds of spotted deer and 

 "sounders" (herds) of pigs, and an old female 

 bear and two half-grown cubs were seen trotting 

 along in front of us ; but we let her go undis- 

 turbed, for we were after nobler game. 



On we went for about two miles further, when 



