Part 4 (1/2)
About ht there was a ca Fritz; who, by his angry baying and fierce demonstrations, showed that some creature must have approached the fire that had no business to be there On rousing theht they heard footsteps at a little distance, and a lol as of souish any sound in particular, as at this season the tropical forest is full of noises--so loud that it is often difficult for persons to hear each other in conversation What with the chirruping of cicadas, the croaking of swa and screeching of owls and night-hawks, the Indian forest is filled with a deafening din throughout the whole night
Fritz ceased barking after a ti
As soon as day broke, they were up, and set about preparing breakfast
Fresh fagots were piled upon the fire, and preparations made for a savoury roast of venison rib Ossaroo climbed up to his tap, while Caspar went for the meat
The quarters of the deer had been suspended upon a tree, at the distance of about fifty paces fro at such a distance was that a stream flowed there, and in order to clean the e A horizontal branch, which was about the proper height froround, had tempted Ossaroo, and he had chosen it for his ”meat-rack”
An exclamation from Caspar now summoned the others to the spot
”See!” cried he, as they caone!”
”Ha! there have been thieves!” said Karl ”That hat caused Fritz to bark”
”Thieves!” ejaculated Caspar ”Not men thieves! They would have carried off the four quarters instead of one Some wild beast has been the thief!”
”Yes, Sahib, you speakee true,” said the shi+karree, who had now reached the spot; ”he wild beast--he very wild beast--big tiger!”
At the mention of the name of this terrible animal, both boys started, and looked anxiously around Even Ossaroo himself exhibited syround so close to a tiger--the e and dreaded of all beasts--and this, too, in India, where they were constantly hearing tales of the ravages coer?” said the botanist, interrupting Ossaroo
”Sure, Sahib--lookee here!--Sahib, see him track!”
The shi+karree pointed to soe of sand that lined the bank of the rivulet There, sure enough, were the foot-prints of a large ani theuished as those of a creature of the cat tribe There were the pads or cushi+ons sht ih possessed of very long and sharp claws, can retract these alking, so as to leave very little e to be mistaken for those either of a leopard or panther, and the only other animal to which they could appertain was the lion There were lions in that district But Ossaroo well kne to distinguish between the tracks of the two great carnivora, and without a moment's hesitation he pronounced the robber to have been a tiger
It now became a matter of serious consideration what they should do under the circumstances Should they abandon their ca a day or two in the neighbourhood Heable to find several new species of plants there But with the knowledge of having such a neighbour they would not sleep very soundly The tiger would, no doubt, return to the camp He was not likely to stay away from a quarter where he had found such hospitable entertainood supper He must have seen the rest of the venison, and would be sure to pay theht kindle large fires, and frighten hi place; still, they would be under an unpleasant apprehension; and even during the day they had no confidence that hein the woods The very places into which their occupation would lead them, would be those in which they were hbour Perhaps, therefore, it would be best to pack up, and proceed on their journey
While eating their breakfasts the thing was debated a the a peep at the tiger anyhow; but Karl was ht it was better to ”th gave way to Caspar, and er if they would only reround
”What! with your bow, Ossaroo?” asked Caspar; ”with your poisoned arrows?”
”No, young Sahib,” replied Ossaroo
”I thought you would have but little chance to kill a great tiger with such weapons How do you mean to do it then?”
”If Sahib Karl consent to stay till to-er--he catch 'im 'live”
”Catch him alive!--In a trap?--In a snare?”
”No trapee--no snaree You see Ossaroo do what he say--he take tiger 'live”
Ossaroo had evidently some plan of his own, and the others became curious to knohat it was As the shi+karree proer, the botanist consented to remain, and let the trial be made