168 LECTURE XIII. 



fully prepared. It had evidently been the 

 tiger's intention to seize the head and fore- 

 quarters ; but the horse was too adroit for that, 

 for, by a quick motion of his head and shoulders, 

 he received his antagonist upon his muscular 

 haunches behind. The claws sank deeply into 

 the flesh, whilst the hind-feet of the tiger made 

 a grasp at the fore-legs of the horse, who threw 

 up his hind heels into the air with tremendous 

 vigour, and in a moment the tiger was sprawling 

 on the ground. He was soon on his legs again, 

 and paced round the enclosure as if nothing had 

 happened. After a short pause he again sprang 

 suddenly on the horse, who, however, was not 

 taken by surprise. His head was lowered more 

 than before, and again the tiger's claws dug 

 deeply into his haunches, but further over. The 

 broad round head of the tiger projected beyond 

 the tail of the horse, whilst his hind claws were 

 sunk deeply into the man-killer's breast. For 

 an instant he might have been seen quivering 

 unsteadily in that position, crouching with his 

 belly on the horse's back and clinging to his 

 prey ; but only for an instant. Again did the 

 ferocious horse lash up with his hind-feet, 

 almost as if he would throw himself over on his 



