22 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS. 



however much their poor vassals may have to suffer in 

 consequence. But the delight they take in tiger-shooting 

 never leads these cautious Nimrods so far as to endanger 

 their precious persons. On some trees of the jungle a 

 scaffolding is prepared at a ludicrous height for his high- 

 ness, who at the appointed hour makes his appearance 

 with all the pomp of a petty Asiatic despot. The beating 

 now begins, and is executed by a troop of miserable peas- 

 ants, who most unwillingly submit to this forced and un- 

 paid labor, which is the more dangerous for them, as they 

 are scattered on a long line. 



12. "Thus they advance with a dreadful noise of 

 drums, horns, and pistol-firing, driving the wild beasts to- 

 ward the scaffolding of their lord and master. At first 

 the tigers, startled from their slumbers, retreat before 

 them ; but generally, on approaching the scaffolding, they 

 guess the danger that awaits them, and turn with a for- 

 midable growl upon the drivers. Nevertheless, great 

 compliments are paid to the noble sportsman who aims a 

 fatal shot from the scaffold, and nobody says a word about 

 the poor, low-born wretches that may have been killed or 

 mutilated by the infuriated brutes." 



CHAPTER III. 

 THE KING OF THE TROPICAL WILDS. 



1. " THE majestic form, the noble bearing, the stately 

 stride, the fine proportions, the piercing eye, and the 

 dreadful roar of the lion, striking terror into the heart of 

 every other animal, all combine to mark him with the 

 stamp of royalty. All nerve, all muscle, his enormous 



