Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09

OF the guard hut where the tiger had dr0pped
it. Jack decided not to move it, The interior
OF the gusrd hut was In deep shadow Jack
took up his position there. He sat on . low
charpoi with his rifle across his knees.
Though the interior OF the hut was dark.
the space in front was lit up by the moon.
which showed clearly the body OF the unfOr-
tunate Shah Singh 1t lay with its sightless
eyes stering up at the heavens. This spRce
extended right up to the stocsade which formed
q background, with dts sharpened stakes stand
ing out against the silvery clouds IKE the teeth
Of some gigantic rake. Every now and agaiu
cloud sailed across the face OF the MOON
throwing floating shadow over the still form
Jack relaxed end i0osensd a1is grip on the
rifle. for he know that II he sat with tcnsed
muscles they would grow rigid and unable to
obey the dictates of his brain when the
emergency arose. The period OF waiting was
very TRYING. de Kept his eyes n0nstantly ON
the move. knowing that II they were allowed
to stare mt any place for amy laugkh Df time
they would conjuFe mp fantasies to Eeonive him
He was absolutely certain that the tigpr awunid
RETURN. But to sit In an open hut waiting for
the return OF q man-aatsr that has inst allied
is enough to try the stoutest Of nerves.
After q while Ii occurred 10 him what n fOol
he vast Had 1t not been for pride and .tlao
bad effect that his surrender would have ON the
morale OF the police st the post he would have
given up his eerie vigil returned 10 the launch
and gone TO bed.
this temptation and concentrating on the vsri-
sounds that came from the jungle listened
for the warning OF the tigers approach that
they would give He ANEW the jungle well
enough to distinguish them apart and know the
origin of 'eaoh.
THE weary watch dragged on until Jack be-
gan to think that his tinae was going to be
wasted and he WAS beginning to aodk for tine
FIRST streaSs OF dawn. The moon ~ns losing Its
power and big clouds kept coming and obscar-
ing sit for minutes mt q time.
1T would be just my luck II the tiger comes
when can't him." Thought Jack during
of those psriods OF aarsnezs then the jungle
hushed, giving its warning, and % me strained
mis- eyes into the blacazness Inc heard q laun
sound that told him the tiger had jumped the
stoekade.
He could nothing yet he felt, somehow
that the tiger was stalking him. Then the
cloud swept away, and thefe was the tiger
facing him. its legs Shah Singhs body al
mOss within reach of his rife barrels ITS lssAd
lowered. the muzzle resting on Its s0laest.
and Jack picked the spot its skull where ne
meant his bullet to enter % me slowly raised
his rife. But sbefoFe the butt reached his
shoulder ne found his attention wandering and
q strong inclination besetting him 70 let &c tain
again He was becoming drowsy, nothing seemed
to matter. Suddenly with . shock he realized
that his will-power was leaving him. with am
immense effort he concentrated his thoughts
on the death of the sepoy and his deteFmtna-
ton to avenge him, and gradually the nunibness
left his brain.
Hastily lest the coma should return, he fired.
The tiger, starting back from the Hash Of tho
heavy rifle fell over. But Jacks cry OF TIL
umph was choked IN his throat rs the tiger
sprang up again Mt once. Luckily for him lk
blamed Shah Singh for the assault, and fell On
the body with fury. To and fro was tossed the
wretched carcass and for some seconds. 50 great
was the tigers rage. Jack was unable to fire
his second barrel. Finally it's wrath somewhat
abated. the tiger allowed the limp form b
fall on the ground and lie there. As the beast
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