THE WHITE TIGER. 141 



jungle. This was where the tigers had taken up 

 their abode. I soon found that the tigers took a 

 particular path to the river to drink. That was 

 the clue I wanted. I would now have my revenge, 

 and the villagers would see I was a real baghmaree, 

 although only a weaver by caste. Shabash ! I set 

 my bow to command the path the tiger took when 

 going to the river, and went home quite pleased 

 with myself ; but I did not tell anybody that I 

 had set my trap, as I waited for my triumph to 

 be complete. I hardly slept that night, and was 

 away at grey dawn to see the trap. The bow was 

 sprung and both arrows had taken effect as they 

 were not to be found anywhere, while pug marks, 

 blood and signs of struggling were to be seen on 

 the path. I knew the arrows would do their 

 work, for I had put on some fresh cobra poison the 

 previous day. Imagine my feelings, Sahib, when 

 I saw I had triumphed ! The bridegroom on his 

 wedding-day, when the village girls anoint him with 

 turmeric and oil ; or when you have just secured 

 a pair of strong buffaloes for your plough at half 

 price ; or when your field has yielded forty-fold ; 

 or when your enemy is dead mine were all these 

 feelings in one ! I felt a hero. I gathered up my 

 bow and ropes and walked to the village a new 

 man. I went straight to the gathering-tree in the 

 centre of the village and sat down. First came one 

 and jibed, ' Well, tantee (weaver), is that your loom 

 you have rolled up ? ' pointing to my bow. ' Make 

 me a saree (woman's garment) for my wife, and I 

 will give you half a candy of grain when the crop 



