It seemed shapeless, the outline fading away in the bush; but they felt sure that they had noticed nothing like it in that direction before.
For two or three minutes they remained in uncertainty, then the outline seemed to broaden, and it moved noiselessly.

There could be no mistake now; the tiger had been attracted by the cries, and as it moved along they could see that it was making a circuit of the spot from whence the sounds proceeded, to reconnoiter before advancing towards its prey.

It kept close to the line of bushes, and sometimes passed behind some of them.

The shikari pressed their shoulders, and a low hiss enforced the necessity for absolute silence.

The two young fellows almost held their breath; they had lost sight of the tiger now, but knew it must be approaching them.
For two or three minutes they heard and saw nothing, then the shikari pointed beyond them, and they almost started as they saw the tiger retreating, and knew that it must have passed almost under them without their noticing it.