VI 
THE TIGER 
241 
We proceeded about a quarter of a mile ahead, 
and then turned into the jungle on our left. 
Continuing for at least 300 yards, we arrived at 
some open ground much broken by shallow nullahs, 
which formed natural drains in a slight depression 
of grassy land between very low hills of jungle, 
through which we had recently passed. There was 
a small nullah issuing from the forest, in which I 
placed my elephant, and I begged my friend Berry 
to ride Demoiselle to a similar place about 200 
yards upon my right. I concluded that should the 
tiger be between us and the line of beaters, he would 
in all probability steal along one or the other of 
these nullahs before he could cross the open ground. 
We now sent back one of the natives with orders 
for the line of beaters to advance. Mr. Berry left 
upon Demoiselle to take up his position, while I 
pushed Moolah Bux well into the jungle in the 
centre of the small nullah, which commanded a clear 
view of about 20 yards around. 
In a short time we heard the clacking sound of 
many sticks, the beaters having obeyed the injunc¬ 
tion, and keeping profound silence with their voices. 
There were no animals in this jungle, probably 
they had been frightened by the great noise of the 
beaters when shouting in the recent drive; at any 
rate, the beat was barren, and having waited fruit¬ 
lessly until I could see the men approaching within 
a few yards of my position, I ordered the elephant 
to turn round, with the intention of proceeding 
another quarter of a mile in advance, and thus 
VOL. I 
R 
