eeded.
It seemed to fill the space all around him--as if it came out of the air
itself--for the purring sound kept the atmosphere constantly vibrating;
and, as there was no definite concussion, it was all the more difficult
to trace it to its source.

The thought that had entered into Ivan's mind was that it might be the
purring of a tiger he heard; and yet it seemed scarcely so harsh as
that--for he knew the peculiar rattle which frequently proceeds from the
thorax of the royal Bengalese cat.

He quickly reflected, however, that whether it was tiger or not, it
would neither be safe for him to raise an alarm, nor start to rush back
to the bivouac--though this was not twenty yards from the spot. By
making an attempt to retreat, he might draw the animal after him, or
stumble upon it--not knowing its direction. It was to ascertain its
whereabouts that he had stopped and stood listening. That once known,
he might keep his place, or lake to flight--as circumstances should
dictate.

Nearly a minute remained he in this irresolute attitude--looking around
on every side, and over the bank into the contiguous jungle; but he
could see no living thing of any kind--for even the bird had long since
taken its departure from the place. Still the purring continued; and
once or twice the sound increased in volume--till it almost assumed the
character of a "growl."

All at once, however, it came to an end; and was succeeded by a quick
sharp "sniff," several times repeated. This was a more definite sound;
and guided Ivan's eyes in a direction in which he had not before thought
of looking. He had hitherto been reconnoitring around him and _over_
the bank. He had not thought of looking _under_ it.

In this direction were his eyes now turned; and, stooping his body, he
peered into the dark subterraneous excavation which the water had caused
in the alluvial earth. There, to his surprise, he beheld the author of
the baritone performance that had been puzzling him.

At first he saw only a countenance of a dirty-whitish colour, with a
pair of ugly glancing eyes; but, in looking more attentively, this
countenance was seen to protrude out of an immense surrounding of black
shaggy hair, which could be the covering of no other animal than a
bear--and a sloth bear at that?

On making this discovery, Ivan did not know whether to be merry or sad.
He would have been glad enough, had he seen the bear at a distance; but,
situated as he was