In an Indian Jungle 



it with regret, I very much wished I was safe in 

 the hospitable camp. I had got about half a mile 

 back, and was wondering if one could hear a tiger 

 stalking you from behind when " crash ! " in a 

 thicket close to the path directly in front. I 

 pulled up dead. This was just about two miles 

 from camp, the very place ! I had timed myself 

 coming out and noted the spot. It was getting 

 darker every moment. There was clearly a heavy 

 beast within a yard or two of the ride ; it couldn't 

 be a stag, or it must have heard me and gone 

 away ; it was absolutely invisible. A detour was 

 impossible ; even if I could force my way I could 

 hardly have used my rifle ; to pass was equally im- 

 possible. The beast was within springing distance 

 of my path ; every moment my chances seemed to 

 diminish with the light. A cracking of bushes, 

 nearer this time. I had no desire now to shoot 

 a tiger, if only he'd go away. Happy thought, 



the human voice. I shout, " Get out, you 



brute ! " Great commotion in the bush, but 

 nothing goes away. Then, with my nerves wound 

 up like a watch, I get reckless, and leaving the 

 ride, with my rifle half up to my shoulder, I 

 advanced straight at the noise I daren't pass. 

 "Crash, wirrh!" and up flies a large pea- 

 cock! 



Feeling I had made rather an ass of myself, 

 I kept quiet about my adventures on my return to 



ii 



