316 The Hunting Grounds 



patch, when we heard a low grumbling, which ap- 

 peared to proceed from a large bush much overgrown 

 with creepers and high spear-grass. 



" Dekho ! sahib, dehko !" (look, Sir, look !) cried 

 Chineah, throwing a couple of lighted rockets into the 

 retreat, which evidently annoyed her, although they 

 had not the effect of causing her to break for she 

 set up a low angry growl which lasted some time. 

 Two or three times I thought I saw the bush shake 

 as if she was about to spring, and once I caught a 

 hurried glimpse of her outline, and threw up my rifle, 

 but I put it down again as I did not like to fire a 

 chance shot with uncertain aim. 



Again Chineah J s rockets flew hissing about her, 



and one of them caused her to move, for B 



caught sight of her, and let drive right and left, when 

 out she sprang with an appalling roar, and struck 

 down poor Ali, who, notwithstanding my orders, had 

 separated himself from the rest in order to pick up a 

 stone to throw into the bush. His piercing death 

 shriek rang through the night air, striking terror on 

 every heart ; and, although I felt that I was too late to 

 save him, I determined he should be amply revenged, 

 and dashed forward towards the spot where the infu- 

 riated tigress was savagely growling, as she still shook 

 the senseless but quivering body of her victim. No 

 sooner did I get a glimpse of her, than I knew that I 

 was perceived, for with a short angry roar she left the 



