140 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAVS 
CHAP. 
the river’s bank and the main body of the forest 
at the foot of a range of red-sandstone hills ; these 
were covered to the summit with trees already leaf¬ 
less from the drought. 
The mucharn which fell to my share was that 
upon the right flank when facing the beat; this was 
in the open glade opposite a projecting corner of the 
jungle. On the left, about 70 yards distant, was 
a narrow strip of bush connected with the jungle, 
about 4 yards wide, which terminated in a copse 
about 30 yards in diameter ; beyond this was open 
glade for about 40 yards width until it bounded 
the main forest at the foot of the hill-range. 
We took our places, and I was assured by the 
shikaris that the tiger would probably ‘ break covert 
exactly in my front. 
It is most uncomfortable for a European to remain 
squatted in a mucharn for any length of time ; the 
limbs become stiffened, and the cramped position 
renders good shooting anything but certain. I have 
a simple wooden turnstool, which enables me to 
shoot in any required direction; this is most com¬ 
fortable. 
I had adjusted my stool upon a thick mat to 
prevent it from slipping, and having settled myself 
firmly, I began to examine the position to form an 
opinion concerning the most likely spot for the tiger 
to emerge from the jungle. 
The beat had commenced, and the shouts and yells 
of a long line of 150 men were gradually becoming 
more distinct. Several peacocks ran across the open 
