s and the stealthy,
mysterious movements of night birds and small animals. Then by degrees
the moon waned and the stars faded--though the sky was still light. It
was about three o'clock in the morning and Shafto was beginning to
agree with Roscoe respecting the tiger myth and to feel uncommonly
drowsy, when his ear was struck by a far-away sound, entirely distinct
from buzzing insects or booming frogs.

The spot which had been thoughtfully selected by the trapper, was
within a few hundred yards of a small cove, chosen as an inviting place
for the tiger to come and slake his thirst. The distant sound came
from this direction and, by degrees, a faint but definite pulsation
grew more audible and distinct, and finally resolved itself, into the
steady throbbing of a motor-launch. It was approaching.

Then from the back of Shafto's mind he dragged out a memory of
FitzGerald's mention of a broken-down petrol boat. Here was probably
the very one--by no means a derelict; on the contrary, a fast
traveller. For a moment he was startled, then promptly made up his
mind. This was a chance, perhaps, to secure some really valuable
_kubber_. More than once he had heard it rumoured that, in these
distant creeks and bays, some of the smugglers had discharged their
valuable cargo. Well, if the cargo was now about to be landed, here
was his opportunity! As the bleating of the goat would undoubtedly
give him away, he must get rid of the animal immediately, so he quickly
shinned down the tree and commanded the trapper to remove it.

"Tiger not coming to-night," he explained to the astonished Burman, who
rejoined:

"Tiger coming soon, soon, now; after the waning of the moon."

"Oh well, never mind," said Shafto impatiently, "you take away the
goat. Look sharp--take him quickly, quickly and _keep_ him."

This was an extraordinary _thakin_, who, at the very climax of the
tiger hour, climbed out of the _machan_ and liberated the bait!
Certainly these English folk were mad.

"You go towards the camp," he ordered, "and take my gun."

The Burman, still completely bewildered, obeyed; he could not
understand the situation, but he felt bound to do what he was told, and
presently he disappeared, moving with obvious reluctance, leading the
goat and carrying gun and cartridges. His employer did not immediately
follow, but remained for a considerable time motionless--listening.
The pulsation had almost ceased--evidently the motor-boat