252 HUNTING IN THE JUNGLE. 



guepard, or hunting tiger. This curious animal, half- 

 tiger, half-leopard, is famous for his extraordinary eye- 

 sight, his speed in running, and his courage in attack. 

 At the same time he is a thoroughly good-natured 

 and submissive companion, and makes a capital hunter 

 besides. 



There were some hundred men in the party, besides 

 porters, servants, and cooks, and we journeyed by short 

 stages in really royal style. No one ever complains of 

 the sleepy slowness of an elephant's gait. You enjoy 

 the scenery, you are rocked by his gentle movement 

 into the happiest frame of mind, and you " get there." 



After three days of this ideal travelling, one of our 

 advance couriers came in to say that a tiger was re- 

 ported in the neighborhood of one of the near villages, 

 and we all prepared for an exciting day. I had my 

 rifles cleaned and my ammunition and knives inspected, 

 and resolved to give a good account of myself. We 

 found that the tiger carried off daily a bull from the 

 fields, and escaped with it into a densely grown marsh 

 a few miles away. Hardly had we reached the locality 

 before the guepards gave unequivocal signs that they 

 detected the presence of our game. Armed with spears, 

 the men began to beat the bushes, much as if they 

 were simply after hares. Still, as they did not seem 

 to mind the danger, I could not see why I should worry 

 about them, though I sat ready with gun in rest on my 

 elephant's back. 



