The National tribune., 1899-01-19

stretches of primeval forest. Rivulets trickled
down through rocky gorges, uniting in clear,
shallow stream, and at some places where
the vale opened ont, pools formed, one
Of which, the largest, was overlooked by a
tall, fiat-topped and perpendicular rock
standing alone. The beauty and mystery of
an Indian solitude. its wild possibilities and
varied suggestions. brooded over all.
Thus We inhabited our extemporized little
bungalow with perfect contentment, secure
TO meet almost at will the great blue COW or
lordly Sambur and beautiful Axis deer
Deep-chested bison bellows were waited to
us on the evening breeze. Panthers screamed
at night ia the rayines near by. We heard
wandering tigers call amidst the forest, and
listened to Its crash as wild elephants went
ON their way. Truly it was a delightful
spot, and we possessed everything one could
wish for, including that famous old Shikari,
Fulteh Das, with bis trackers-dwarfed, thin
limbed, chocolate-colored savages of several
untanled forest tribes; yet for those purposes
we put them to men unmatchable.
s. so You won't try for the big panther this
evening" said Richards; well, then, what
is TO be done?"
This inquiry was answered by the appear
ance of Fulteh Das, who came before us
indicated important news. Disentangling
what he communicated from its Oriental ex-
aggeratioDs and circumlocutions il amounted
10 this:
The old man, who was as restless as
hyena, had been prospecting above our
camp, and came BY the especial favor of
God. be affirmed, upon tigers recent
kill the carcass of a large Nilghai, hid
den among bushes, where it had been dragged
after the fashion Of tigers, when they do not
content themselves with blood alone
Fulteh Das knew as much about these
beasts as if Rajpoot superstitions had become
realized and he were the descendant of
tiger; thus possessing some inherited insight
with respect TO family traits. He argued
that, as whole, this species like their game
high." and, IN consequence the Niighai
slayer would return, gorge himself and being
Lazy by nature, and additionally so from reple-
ton, be could not fail TO make for the nearest
water; namely, the pool spoken of as being
commanded by an isolated rock
That was what he did last night. - averred
our orator. Has your servant not seen his
tracks? Why for these should my lords not
turn this stone into machan? Praise be to
God IL was made for that purpose. Grass
seeds have been planted on its top by heaven,
and likewise bushes, SO there is good cover
Moreover, no tiger can climb up. Truly these
things We're designed"
80 We packed tiifin baskets, rolled blankets,
prepared our rifles, and went off-at least
Kobertson and myself did So, for touch of
lever kept our companion Richards i'll camp
We crossed the stream at once. travelling
towards the pool on Its farther side in order 10
leave no traces that would betray u.s. A
tiger can scent mans footsteps even when
his trail Is old, and as he is under ordinary
circumstances more wary and suspicious than
any of the great clts-almost always lookin
out for traps and ambuscades-all chance of
seeing him would have been lost if this ami
mai had come across our path.
No trcspass on his side of the water-course
was made, however. and reaching our desti-
nation towards sunset the Shikari hewed
down stout bamboo stalk. cut notches in it
with 4 Ratchet, and everybody got on the
cTag, speedily making such arrangements as
long practice IN night-watching for large game
prescribed.
The cuIogiums Fulteh Das had expended
upon this spot were not undeserved. No
place could have been more perfectly adapted
10 our design, vet there were certain drawbacks
tocomplete satisfaction. Underground massed
heavily in many places across the pool. and
there were only few openings in which one
could see what was coming. Moreover the
moon did not rise until late; therefore diff
culties about getting sight became probable;
for were the night as cloudless as il could be,
still that ciear-obscure which sailors prefer to
bright moonlight is not so favorable for
sportsmen.. Notwithstanding that the most
successful field shooting is not done with a