tiger!"

At the mention of the name of this terrible animal, both boys started,
and looked anxiously around. Even Ossaroo himself exhibited symptoms of
fear. To think they had been sleeping on the open ground so close to a
tiger--the most savage and dreaded of all beasts--and this, too, in
India, where they were constantly hearing tales of the ravages committed
by these animals!

"You think it was a tiger?" said the botanist, interrupting Ossaroo.

"Sure, Sahib--lookee here!--Sahib, see him track!"

The shikarree pointed to some tracks in the selvedge of sand that lined
the bank of the rivulet. There, sure enough, were the foot-prints of a
large animal; and, upon inspecting them closely, they could easily be
distinguished as those of a creature of the cat tribe. There were the
pads or cushions smoothly imprinted in the sand, and the slight
impression of the claws--for the tiger, although possessed of very long
and sharp claws, can retract these when walking, so as to leave very
little mark of them in the mud or sand. The tracks were too large 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 knew how 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 camp, and _move_
forward? Karl was very desirous of spending a day or two in the
neighbourhood. He made no doubt of being able 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 entertainment--such a good supper. He must
have seen the rest of the venison, and would be sure to pay them another
visit on the following night. True, they might kindle large fires, and
frighten him off from their sleeping place; still, they would be under
an unpleasant apprehension; and even during the day they had no
confidence that he might not attack them--particularly if they went
botanising in the woods. The very places into which their occupation
would lead them, would be those in which they were most likely to meet
this dreaded nei