VII 
THE TIGER 
265 
take his stand as instructed by the natives; he 
accordingly disappeared, I knew not where. We 
entered the jungle, and presently descended the 
face of a small hill; then crossing a nullah, I was 
introduced to my mucharn; this was arranged 
upon a large tree which grew exactly upon the 
margin, and commanded not only the deep nullah 
beneath, but two other smaller nullahs which it met 
at right angles only a few paces distant. This 
looked well, as the tiger would probably slink along 
these secluded watercourses, in which case I should 
obtain a splendid shot. I climbed from the back of 
my steady elephant into the lofty perch ; the people 
and animals left me to watch, squatted in a most 
uncomfortable position, as at that time I had not 
invented my charming turnstool. 
At least an hour passed before I even heard the 
beaters. At length, amidst the cooing of countless 
doves, I detected the distant thud, thud of a tom-tom, 
and then the confused sound of many excited 
voices. 
A few peacocks ran across the nullah ; then a 
small jungle-sheep made the dead leaves rattle as it 
dashed wildly past; and almost immediately I heard 
a quick double shot about 200 yards upon my left. 
I knew this must be my shikari. Sheik Jhan, and 
I felt sure that he had missed, as the two shots were 
in such rapid succession. If the first had struck the 
object, the second would not have been fired so 
quickly ; if the first had missed, the exceeding quick¬ 
ness of the second shot would suggest confusion. 
