prepare it, and there were no
fig-trees about the neighbourhood, nor holly, nor trees of any other
kind out of which it could properly be made.

What was Ossaroo to do under these circumstances? Must he abandon the
idea of destroying the man-eater, and leave the helpless villagers to
their fate? No. His hunter pride would not permit that. His name as a
great shikarree was at stake. Besides, his humanity was touched--for,
although but a poor Hindoo, he possessed the common feelings of our
nature. Karl and Caspar, moreover, had taken an interest in the thing,
and urged him to do his best, promising him all the assistance it was in
their power to give.

It was resolved, therefore, that, cost what it might, the tiger should
be destroyed.

Ossaroo had other resources besides the birdlime and the battue, and he
at once set to work to prepare his plan. He had an ample stock of
attendants, as the villagers worked eagerly and ran hither and thither
obedient to his nod. In front of the village there was a piece of open
ground. This was the scene of operations.

Ossaroo first commanded four large posts to be brought, and set in the
ground in a quadrangle of about eight feet in length and width. These
posts when sunk firmly in their place stood full eight feet in height,
and each had a fork at the top. On these forks four strong beams were
placed horizontally, and then firmly lashed with rawhide thongs. Deep
trenches were next dug from post to post, and in these were planted rows
of strong bamboos four inches apart from each other--the bamboos
themselves being about four inches in thickness. The earth was then
filled in, and trodden firmly, so as to render the uprights immovable.
A tier of similar bamboos was next laid horizontally upon the top, the
ends of which, interlocking with those that stood upright, held the
latter in their places. Both were securely lashed to the frame
timbers--that had been notched for the purpose--and to one another, and
then the structure was complete. It resembled an immense cage with
smooth yellow rods, each four inches in diameter. The door alone was
wanting, but it was not desirable to have a door. Although it was
intended for a "trap cage," the "bird" for which it had been constructed
was not to be admitted to the inside.

Ossaroo now called upon the villagers to provide him with a goat that
had lately had kids, and whose young were still living. This was easily
procured. S