TIGER 317 



most nervous, highly strung beasts in the world, 

 gives a sudden start or hitch of his back. You are 

 all ready in a moment, but it is nothing but a 

 peacock, jungle -fowl, or porcupine, brushing by 

 through the grass. 



Things went on with us in this way for some 

 time. We could make out the long line of black 

 backs and howdahs about half way up the covert. 

 As we looked there was a rifle shot at one end of the 

 line. We watched what was to follow. There was 

 no check still a steady advance. Some one had 

 had a shot and missed ; at all events, had not killed ; 

 and stripes was coming on towards us. My sleepiness 

 was passed ; I was now all awake. A tiger was 

 doubtless coming on ahead of the beat. What is 

 that line of waving grass coming straight towards 

 me ? My rifle is ready cocked ; nearer and nearer 

 it comes. Presently the thick grass parts right in 

 front, and the head and chest of a splendid tiger 

 appears. Curiously, for elephants are curious 

 animals, my beast, although he had jumped when a 

 jungle-fowl ran by, did not move a muscle. I 

 raised my rifle and shot right down at the tiger as he 

 came. Down he went on his nose, and I thought I 

 had him stretched ; but no such luck he was up 

 again like a flash, and came on with an angry grunt 

 or two. My elephant never moved. I gave him 

 the other barrel as he came close up, and turned him 

 off. I saw the blood patch of number two bullet on 

 the near side of his back, and he went by me snarling. 

 The line still came on steadily. I was quite happy, 



