Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/217

Rh "Oh! is that all!" said I; "then ask the Mandor for a gun, and we will shoot the machan when he comes. I am most anxious to get a good skin."

"Sta-par-alla,Tuan!" exclaimed Drahman, a look of terror on his face. "Don't, sir! don't say so! If the Dato (father) of the forest does come, it will only be to scent us."

"To scent us?—what do you mean?"

"Why, that is the way they find out whether we have a good or a bad heart."

"Oh! if that is your opinion of tigers," said I, laughing outright, "I see no need for your fear."

"Well, I beg you, sir, not to have a gun. There are a few bad ones among the lot, and these will attack human beings, but the generality mean well towards mankind, and it will be unlucky for us, sir, if you shoot a good tiger."

Next morning we were up early, to inspect our