234 The Hunting Grounds 



opportunity I wanted I took deliberate aim between 

 the glittering orbs that shone like burning coals, and 

 pulled both triggers almost simultaneously. A hoarse 

 roar followed the double report, which was re-echoed 

 by the distant hills something dark passed over 

 head, and I heard a crashing and rending of wood in 

 the bush immediately behind me, with a loud whine 

 and peculiar grunt which told me that the tiger was 

 hard hit. 



I grasped my second gun, stuck my pistols in my 

 belt, so as to be ready for immediate use, and turned 

 towards the spot where the tiger appeared to be, at 

 the same time calling to Chineah and Googooloo, to 

 prevent them leaving their post on any account, for 

 I well knew how dangerous a wounded tiger is at any 

 time, more especially in the dark, when he can see 

 and man cannot On receiving the contents of my 

 rifle, he must have sprung clear over the ambuscade, 

 for I heard him struggling in the bush just behind it, 

 grinding his teeth and emitting strange moaning 

 noises. Every now and then he seemed to be moving 

 restlessly about, and at times I thought, from his hard 

 breathing (which somewhat resembled a loud snore), 

 that he was close to me ; indeed I fancied once or 

 twice that I felt the bushes shake, as if he was trying 

 to get at me. Although prepared for all emergencies 

 I remained perfectly quiet, listening intently to his 

 movements, for the darkness was so profound that I 



