268 
JVILI) BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
and by sitting astride a tightly bound bundle of 
mats. 
I would not allow any person to visit the carcase 
on the following morning, as I accepted the natives’ 
assurance that the tiger would return to its kill ; I 
gave orders that all beaters were to be in readiness, 
and we were to start together. 
The morning arrived, and we started with a large 
force of nearly 200 men. 
Upon approaching the spot where the carcase of 
the buffalo was left, I dismounted, and with only 
one man, I carefully inspected the position. The 
body had been dragged away. That was sufficient 
evidence, and I would not risk a disturbance of the 
jungle by advancing farther upon the tracks. 
In order to maintain the most perfect silence, the 
beaters were kept at a considerable distance, and 
the line was to be formed only when a messenger 
should be sent back to say that the guns were 
already in position. 
The native shikaris now assured me in the most 
positive manner that the tiger would certainly 
advance along the nullah, and would pass imme¬ 
diately beneath the tree upon which my mucharn 
of yesterday was placed. 
Upon arrival at the tree I arranged the quilted 
pad and bundle of rugs in the mucharn, and having 
instructed my men to clear away a few overhanging 
creepers that in some places intercepted the line of 
sight along the nullah, I took my place, having 
carefully screened myself by intertwining a few 
