VII 
THE TIGER 
269 
green boughs to the height of 2 feet around my 
hiding-place. 
I was comparatively in luxury upon the quilted 
mattress, and I waited with exemplary patience for 
the commencement of the beat in solitary quiet. A 
long time elapsed, as our messenger had to return 
about a mile before the line should receive orders 
to advance. 
In the meanwhile I studied the ground minutely. 
I could see for 50 yards along the nullah, also there 
was a clear view where it joined the other 
approaches by which the tiger was expected. 
Exactly in front, on the other side the nullah 
beneath me, the jungle rose in a tolerably steep 
inclination upon a slope which continued for several 
hundred yards. If the tiger were to quit the nullah 
by which it would approach upon my left, it would 
probably cross over this hill to ensure a short cut, 
instead of continuing along the bottom of the nullah ; 
this is frequently the habit of a tiger. 
It was difficult to decide whether the beat had 
commenced, owing to the ceaseless cooing of the 
numerous doves, but presently a peacock flew into 
the tree upon my right, and almost immediately two 
peahens ran over the dead leaves, which made an 
exciting rustle in the quiet nullah. I felt sure that 
the beaters were advancing, as the peafowl were 
disturbed ; I therefore kept in readiness, with rifle 
at full cock, as I felt sure that should the tiger 
exhibit himself, he would be far in advance of the 
approaching drive. 
