CONSERVATORS’ WORK 159 
and ascended to safety amongst the branches, while 
we very slowly advanced towards the suspicious 
spot. At 40 yards there was no sign, and step by 
step we reduced the distance, till the tiger sprang 
out with a roar, and was stopped before he could 
reach the elephant. Such moments and such sights 
are the best tonic the forester can take. They are 
worth many ounces of quinine in warding off malaria, 
for they make the exile’s blood glow so that de- 
pression and lassitude are as if they never existed. 
At Bhadi Tal is one of the best spots to become 
intimate with the forest fauna, for all are there in 
plenty. It isthe stronghold of the swamp-deer, and 
of their remorseless follower, the tiger. A few forest 
panthers also make it their headquarters, and there 
is also, alas! good hunting-ground for the wild- 
dogs. In the “ndla” to the south-east of the house, 
close to the road to Khairigarh, Abdul had one even- 
ing tied a “machén” for us in a small tree with 
scanty foliage. We sat for some time watching the 
antics of a most beautiful jungle-cat who was feeding 
on the tiger’s kill, He was nervous in the extreme, 
and would dash away at the slightest sound, return- 
ing very cautiously, the while growling and swearing 
under his breath as if to scold himself into better 
courage. Then the startled cackle of a jungle-cock 
was a warning not to be disregarded, and the cat 
left hurriedly, not to return; and with good reason, 
for there, walking proudly along the bank of the 
“nla,” the owner of the kill was coming to 
investigate. 
It is seldom that a tiger is seen at his ease on 
open level ground, and so, also, it is seldom that his 
