MY FIRST TIGER. 33 



distinctly hear the crashing of the tiger through the 

 jungle coming straight on to my position. The sound 

 came nearer ! nearer ! My rifle was already up to my 

 shoulder, when I saw a great head just emerging 

 from the cover into the open space in front. Bang ! 

 from my right barrel at his bullet head ; bang ! with 

 the left in quick succession as he passed under 

 my position. No result ; the tiger went on as 

 if untouched. " Strangre ! I thought I was on him, 

 too !" such was my mental reflection. We then 

 assembled again to discuss matters, and I was freely 

 chaffed by the Major for missing. Whilst we were 

 talking a native came up with a report that there 

 was a " Bagh " or tiger 500 yards off. I said at 

 once, " I don't believe that that is any other tiger 

 than the one that passed me," adding in a rather 

 superior manner, ''and I believe I've wounded him, 

 too." My hopes now began to run high. The 

 Major was inclined to agree with what I said, 

 and consequently decided that we should follow 

 him up before trying to get the other tiger, which 

 had remained behind with the cubs on the hill, 

 so, with the native leading the way, we all followed 

 together in close formation, our second gun bearers 

 being immediately behind us ready for any emer- 

 gency. When we got to within about 1 50 yards of 

 the place where the tiger lay concealed in the forest 

 there were one or two terrific roars, the depth and 

 volume of these notes seemed to impress me with 

 the idea that, if this grand beast got in amongst a 

 crowd, he wouldn't be lonof before he made short 



