The tiger began to sniff as if he scented them.  Then it yawned and snarled.  The men sat fascinated.  Presently the great head turned towards them.  The shopman pulled the trigger of the gun he held.  There was a deafening roar and the tiger disappeared from the hillock.  Then all became still.  They knew by the roar of pain that he was hit.  Tigers are clever and often feign death when wounded.  They dared not descend.  They were not sure that he was killed.  At any moment he might attack their tree.  Comrades in enterprise and fear, they sat gripping each other in the darkness, for the moon had now set.

The villagers had heard the shot and at day-break came to the spot.  They found the tiger lying dead at the foot of the hillock.  The heroes could barely descend from the machan, so stiff and aching were their bones.  Together they received the plaudits of the village and shared the Government reward which to them was quite a small fortune.

A Burmese Monster

Some years ago Government sent an engineer and party to explore and prospect in the forests of Burma.  None returned.  Their disappearance was a mystery.

The authorities decided to send another party to ascertain the fate of the first and continue the work.  To induce volunteers, a handsome salary was offered; and at length an Englishman came forward.  He asked for twice the number of native attendants that the first man had had.  Government granted him his request and provided him with every facility procurable and he started.

He followed the course taken by his predecessor up a large river.  He travelled in a big boat and his men in smaller ones.  Here and there they came upon traces of the former party.  They pushed on.  Suddenly all indications of the missing ones ceased.  He felt he had better stop and investigate.  Tents were landed and pitched and the men began to prepare their evening meal.

As he sat in his tent reading, he heard loud shouts and some of his coolies rushed to him.  They said that as they were cooking they saw a great black thing hanging from a tree above them.  When they made a noise it disappeared.  It was long and thick and black.  The coolies were frightened out of their wits and refused to remain in that place.  Argument was of no use; so the tents were taken down and the party moved on.

Another spot was selected and here they stayed peacefully for some days.  Suddenly a man was missing.  Then another and another!  Each disappeared when alone.  The coolies were frightened and uneasy.  But this time the Sahib managed to control them.  He himself was anxious and puzzled.

Next a coolie who had gone to the river to scour vessels after a meal disappeared.  The plates and lotas were scattered about just as if he had been suddenly seized.  The Englishman thought that a crocodile must have taken him off.

Soon after this incident the engineer was fishing in the river opposite to the camp, and he noticed two coolies coming to the river.  They sat down at the ghat and began to scour their vessels.  The murmur of their voices reached him.