24 THE TIGER. 



About four o'clock a skulking Jackal made his appearance, and it was most amusing to 

 observe the cautious manner in which he approached the carcase : with his tail tucked in 

 he sneaked along, casting uneasy glances in all directions, and frequently stopping and 

 raising his head to sniff the tainted air, partly doubtless to enjoy the gamey flavor of the 

 beef, and partly to try and detect the presence of the enemy whom he evidently suspected. 



Gradually gaining confidence, he at last walked up to the carcase and began tugging at 

 it. He could not make much impression on the nearly unbroken skin, but while busily 

 engaged in his occupation he suddenly darted away. Now, I thought, the Tiger is coming ; 

 but it was only another Jackal whose tread the first comer had heard, and, with the cowardice 

 of a guilty conscience, mistaken for that of the rightful owner of the beef. 



Both Jackals now turned their attention to the cow, but they were evidently not at all 

 at their ease, and before long slunk away. Not long after their departure, my hopes were 

 again roused by hearing the low suppressed voice of the Tiger as he approached from a 

 neighbouring ravine. Nearer and nearer he came, at a very leisurely pace, and at last I could 

 plainly hear him within thirty yards. How I strained my eyes to penetrate the screen of 

 leafy bushes, and gain a view of even a square inch of his hide ; how motionless I sat with 

 finger on the trigger, hardly even venturing to breathe, and momentarily expecting to see 

 the Tiger emerge from the bushes and take possession of his property. But I was doomed 

 to disappointment. Whether the Tiger got my wind, or suspected that all was not right, 

 I do not know ; but after lingering in the vicinity for some time without showing himself, 

 merely uttering a few low whines, he moved away. I still hoped that he had only come to 

 reconnoitre and would again return at night : I, therefore, remained at my post. 



Towards evening the vultures, which had been collecting all day, became bolder ; they 

 approached nearer and nearer to the carcase, until at length one adventurous spirit hopped up 

 to it and gave it a tug with his beak. This was the signal to the others : immediately there 

 was a rush of wings, and from every point of the compass the foul birds poured in in rapid 

 succession, until the dead cow was completely hidden by a surging mass of feathers, as about 

 a hundred vultures, piled one on the top of the other, struggled and fought to get at the 

 flesh which they had long gloated over. Not that those in the foremost, or lowest rank 

 gained much by it ; for the hide had not yet decomposed sufficiently for them to tear it ; so 

 they had to content themselves with pecking at the eyes and tongue, the holes made by the 

 Tiger's teeth, and other vulnerable parts. 



Soon they were disturbed by the return of the two Jackals, who rushed in amongst 

 them, snapping right and left, and pulling out numerous feathers. 



The vultures, however, did not treat the new comers with much respect ; merely hopping 

 away a few yards when a Jackal became demonstrative, and again returning to pick up what 

 they could. Just before dark, both Jackals and vultures went away, the former apparently 

 satiated, and the latter to roost in the trees around, in hopes of finding their breakfast ready 

 for them in the morning. 



" The sun set, and up rose the yellow moon " and as its full orb rose above the trees I 

 could see the outline of the dead cow as plainly as by daylight. Anxiously I listened for the 



