156 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
disturbed, she had left the body without eating any 
portion. The shikaris considered that she would 
probably return to her prey during the night, if left 
undisturbed upon the spot where she had forsaken it. 
There were no trees, nor any timber that was suitable 
for the construction of a mucharn; it was accordingly 
resolved that four deep holes should be dug, forming 
the corners of a square, the body lying in the 
centre. Each hole was to be occupied by a shikari 
with his matchlock. The watchers took their 
positions. Nothing came; until at length the 
moon went down, and the night was dark. The 
men were afraid to get out of their hiding-places 
to walk home through the jungles that were 
infested by the man-eater; they remained in their 
holes, and some of them fell asleep. 
When daylight broke, three of the shikaris 
issued from their positions, but the fourth had 
disappeared ; his hole was empty! A few yards 
distant, his matchlock was discovered lying upon 
the ground, and upon the dusty surface were the 
tracks of the tiger, and the sweeping trace where 
the body had been dragged as the man-eater carried 
it along. Upon following up the track, the remains 
of the unlucky shikari were discovered, a consider¬ 
able portion having been devoured ; but the tigress 
had disappeared. This cunning brute had won 
the game, and she was not killed until twelve 
months afterwards, although many persons devoted 
themselves to her pursuit. 
Many incredible stories have been told con- 
