We found, however,
nothing but a few bones and a quantity of blood. The tiger had made
off at the approach of daylight into the jungle, which was about
two miles distant. We traced him easily enough, and found that he
had entered a large ravine, from which several smaller ones branched
off.
"It was an awkward place, as it was next to impossible to surround
it with the number of people at our command. We posted them at last
all along the upper ground, and told them to make up in noise what
they wanted in numbers. At last all was ready, and we gave the
signal. However, I am not telling you a hunting story, and need only
say that we could neither find nor disturb him. In vain we pushed
Begaum through the thickest of the jungle which clothed the sides and
bottom of the ravine, while the men shouted, beat their tom-toms,
and showered imprecations against the tiger himself and his ancestors
up to the remotest generations.
"The day was tremendously hot, and, after three hours' march, we
gave it up for a time, and lay down in the shade, while the shikarees
made a long examination of the ground all round the hillside, to
be sure that he had not left the ravine. They came back with the
news that no traces could be discovered, and that, beyond a doubt,
he was still there.
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