EARLY DAYS IN OUDH 33 
stealthy attack of the man-eating tiger or from the 
sudden onslaught of an animal awaiting the approach 
of a trespasser in his domain. 
The shrill bleating of the goat conveys to all 
within half a mile or more that an animal is in dis- 
tress, and perhaps reaches the panther just aroused 
from his afternoon sleep. First the crows come to 
discover whether or not there is a chance for them 
to fall on a helpless victim, and, disappointed, they 
sit in neighbouring trees and add their clamour to 
the uproar. In the silences you feel as if you could 
no longer bear the cramp and strain of your position, 
were it not for the interest in some insect or bird in 
the vicinity, who, unaware of the presence of man, is 
affording a new insight into its natural history. 
Then, as the twilight falls and the jungle becomes 
still, you are nervous lest the panther should kill 
the goat, and so spoil your enjoyment of the sport. 
You recall that, fortunately, the carnivora rarely 
spring on a tethered animal, suspicious perhaps in 
virtue of the plots they lay for others; and while 
comforting yourself thus there is a rush, as with a 
bound the panther alights, not on, but a yard in 
front of, his victim. His fore-paws plough up the 
ground as he stops, and the goat stands feebly pre- 
senting her horns at the apparition; and then the 
rifle rings out, and the panther disappears in the 
undergrowth : the two crowded seconds for which 
you have waited for an hour are passed, and you 
descend, to be greeted by the friendly bleating of 
your ally. There is blood along the trail, and 
you follow for, say, 60 or 80 yards, knowing that 
within that distance a well-directed bullet would 
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