32 MY FIRST TIGER. 



myself. Very soon after I had joined the Major's 

 camp his shikaree brought in news of a tiger, tigress, 

 and one or two cubs — a family, in fact — on a hill, 

 surrounded by dense teak wood jungle a few miles 

 from our camp. 



Arrangements were then made for an army of 

 beaters with tom-toms (native drums) and antiquated 

 guns to shoot blank ammunition, etc., etc. A few 

 native policemen also accompanied us to superintend 

 the beat. When all was in readiness we mounted 

 our steeds, and rode off to the hill where the tigers 

 had been located, and after the Major had decided 

 upon his plan of campaign, and assigned to each one 

 of the guns the positions they were to take up, the 

 beat began. 



The guns were formed in a sort of semi-circle at 

 the base of the hill, Colonel Walker being on the 

 extreme right, I next to him, young Bonnor next to 

 me, and the Major on the extreme left. 



I was in a tree some 12 feet from the ground, 

 with about three yards in front of me pretty clear, 

 beyond that dense jungle. On my right there was 

 a small clear space ; on my left I think was jungle. 



The beat had now begun, and my excitement as a 

 boy can better be imagined than expressed. On 

 came the yells of the natives with the beating of the 

 drums, and occasional discharges of blank ammuni- 

 tion. At last one of the tigers broke cover with 

 two or three ominous roars, followed by a perfect 

 yell of excitement from the natives. Bang ! bang ! 

 from Colonel Walker on my right. Then I could 



