ALADDIN'S CAVE. 31 



glomerate for further testing. There was nothing 

 to show whence the strange gleams of light had 

 come not a trace of mica was to be seen anywhere. 

 The sparkling had now entirely disappeared, and 

 to this day I have been unable to account for it, 

 nor could the friends I consulted give any expla- 

 nation of it. Permal also had seen the lights, so it 

 was not due to my imagination. 



After the tiger was flayed we tied the skin to the 

 rope. I then made my way up, hand over hand, 

 and the Chentsu followed, and together we drew up 

 the skin. On examination it proved to be in splen- 

 did condition, the fur being beautifully soft and 

 long. It measured ten feet one inch from snout to 

 tip of tail, and from ridge of shoulder to fore-claws 

 three feet ten inches ; so that it must have stood a 

 greater height than most tigers. Thus, two king- 

 cobras and a large tiger were the spoils of one of 

 the most exciting day's adventures I have ever 

 experienced in all my journeyings in the wild places 

 of India. 



