of the Old World. 231 



and I should not have the advantage of the light of 

 the moon until late, I determined to await his 

 approach at close quarters, and made the gang dig 

 a hole about four feet deep under a low overhanging 

 bush, much overgrown with creepers and parasitical 

 plants, which was about half a dozen paces to leeward 

 of the carcass. By making my place of concealment 

 in the ground, I knew I should have a better chance 

 of getting a sight of the tiger and taking more certain 

 aim in the dark than if I was perched in a tree above 

 him, besides which it seemed something more like 

 fair play. Having lined my place of ambuscade with 

 a carpet, so as to make it more comfortable, I care- 

 fully loaded my weapons, which were two double ten- 

 bore rifles, a double two-ounce gun, and a brace of 

 large double holster-pistols; arranged my comforts 

 for the inner man, consisting of a stone bottle of 

 strong green tea, a flask of brandy, and a huge pile 

 of sandwiches ; and ordered all my followers to 

 return to Ooty, with the horse, excepting Chineah 

 and Googooloo, who were to keep watch in the tree 

 so as to be at hand in case they might be wanted. 



All being prepared, as soon as the shadows of 

 evening began to lengthen we took post, and during 

 the few remaining hours of daylight I carefully 

 noted every bush and undulation in the ground, so 

 as to be better able to perceive anything in the 

 dark. As the day declined the last rays of an mi- 



