136 FOREST LIFE AND SPORT IN INDIA 
and can quietly admire its beauty, he feels the satis- 
faction of having outwitted one of the most cunning 
of animals. 
Yet even the panther is not-infallible, and is some- 
times bested by man or beast. We were once 
watching over the melancholy remains of a goat, 
facing in opposite directions so as to command ‘a 
wider view, and in that absolute quietude so neces- 
sary for success, but so irksome when long continued, 
with every sense strained for some indication of the 
panther’s whereabouts. Three crows also sat around, 
uttering cries indicating the depression of weary 
waiting ; they dared not descend, nor would they at 
first leave the inviting repast, till, suddenly changing 
their minds, with one accord they flew to the north, 
and we were left alone. In the distance—perhaps 
1,000 yards away—we soon heard again the clamour 
of the birds loudly scolding and vociferating ; then 
the panther was seen approaching, led or driven by 
the noisy birds who would give no respite, till the 
drowsy beast arrived, and, with a glance at the kill, 
lay down under our seat. In the tension of the 
moment we could hear our hearts beating loudly ; 
the slightest movement would have ended the 
episode, and it was not till the word “Asleep” 
reached me in the slightest of whispers that I dared 
cautiously to turn. The process seemed to occupy 
many minutes before I, too, was able fully to admire, 
at a distance of a few yards, the sleeping beauty ; 
he had been aroused from doubtless just as comfort- 
able a slumber, brought to his kill, probably, by bare- 
faced untruths as to its safety, and then left to his 
fate without remorse, simply in order that his 
