The Tiger 221 



stop simultaneously as by prearranged concert. Then 

 three men were seen rushing madly along the elevated 

 ridge surrounding one of the tanks. I recognized one of 

 my peons, and with him there were two cowherds. Their 

 head-dresses were all disarranged, and their parted lips, 

 heaving chests, and eyes blazing with excitement, showed 

 that they were brimful of some unusual message. 



"Now there arose such a bustle in the camp as no 

 description could adequately portray. The elephants 

 trumpeted and piped ; the syces and grooms came push- 

 ing up with eager questions ; the villagers bustled about 

 like so many ants roused by the approach of a foe ; my 

 pack of terriers yelped in chorus ; the pony neighed ; the 

 Cabool stallion plunged about ; my servants rushed from 

 the shelter of the tent-veranda with disordered dress ; the 

 ducks rose in a quacking crowd, and circled round and 

 round the tent; and the cry arose of 'Baghl Bagh! 

 Khodawundl Arree Bap re Bap! Ram Ram, Seeta 

 Rami' 



" Breathless with running, the men now tumbled up and 

 hurriedly salaamed; then each with gasps and choking 

 stops, and pell-mell volubility, and amid a running fire of 

 cries, queries, and interjections from the mob, began to 

 unfold their tale. There was an infuriated tigress on the 

 other side of the nullah, or dry watercourse, and she had 

 attacked a herd of buffaloes, and it was believed she had 

 cubs. 



"Already Debnarain Singh was getting his own pad- 

 elephant caparisoned, and my bearer was diving under my 

 camp bed for the rifles and cartridges. Knowing the 



