a 
MAULED BY A PANTHER. 25% 
beast was supposed to be. Those of the northern side asserted that 
they had seen him go intoa nalla—dry torrent bed — on their 
side of the hill, and lie up in some cactus bushes (sabrt), while those 
of the southern side declared he had gone down the hill and had 
disappeared amongst some large rocks under a clump of green and 
shady trees. The knowing ones of the village said that he had a lair 
in both places. The distance between the two points was between 
a quarter and ahalf mile, and deeming it impossible to organize a 
drive which would cover both,I made up my mind to drive therocks 
below first, and then to drive the nalla above. The only thing 
against this arrangement was the small number of beaters, who were 
not more than 50, and who would have been quite lost on the exten- 
sive area to be covered. LIconsequently sent two police constables 
to neighbouring villages for more men, while I sat down to a light 
breakfast. After eating a hurried meal I went with an old villager 
to a large rock, under which the beast was said constantly to he in 
the heat of the day. Nice cool quarters he had under it, but un- 
fortunately he was not at home, so T returned to where the beaters 
were assembled, and was soon rejoiced at seeing about 75 more men 
turn up with my police constables. A consultation took place 
amongst all the elders of Dherrigam village, and it was finally settled 
that I was to take up my position in awild fig-tree about a hundred 
and fifty yards beyond the rocks and clump of tree containing the 
lair of the animal. 
An old villager, wearing a dark brown blanket, the fashionable 
head-dress of his caste, and affording protection to his head and 
shoulders from the sun, was sent with me, as he was reputed to 
know exactly where to place me. When I got to the tree in ques- 
tion I objected to get into it, as no portion that would bear my 
weight was five feet from the ground, and it practically afforded no 
protection, while it was a most awkward one to shoot from; I 
therefore said I would stand on the ground, where my aim would — 
bo steadier. The old fellow declared the beast’s path lay directly 
under the tree, and the panther would pass pote-a-kal (under my 
belly) if I would only get up the fig-tree. Over-persuaded by 
such arguments I got astride a large horizontal branch, while my 
companion climbed high up the small shoots over my head, and 
taking my spare rifle well out of reach, ensconced himself in the 
green branches at the top of the tree. Iso placed myself as to face 
the beast as he came along under the tree, as I considered it very 
