The magic of Kanha

The clear night sky had caused the temperature to plummet and a myriad stars cast a dim glow as Joseph and I drew up on our bike at the junction of a sal Shorea robusta forest patch and a meadow. As Joseph switched off the engine, the headlight went out and we were plunged into darkness. I dismounted, switched on the radio-receiver and raised the H-antenna above my head,making sweeping arcs to catch a signal from the radio-collar of the tigress we were tracking. The radio crackled to life and I immediately heard the clicks, loud and clear, indicating that the tigress was near at hand. Hardly had I done so, when a deafening roar erupted from the bushes.