ON THE TRAIL OF A MAN-EATER 309 



but not badly. Taking refuge again in the bushes, he 

 was lost to view. 



Eeloading their guns, the officers were entering the 

 jungle, when the tiger started up in front, not twenty 

 yards away, and came on with a rush. A bullet checked 

 his advance for a moment, but he charged again, and the 

 riders expected to see him the next instant grappling 

 with the elephants. But, instead, he sprang right through 

 the animals, and disappeared in the ravine. 



Very cautiously the British officers went after him, 

 searching each patch of grass and clump of bushes, lest 

 he should be hidden there. But no tiger was to be found 

 anywhere. At last they had reached the top of the ravine, 

 which was almost filled by a huge green bush, and, 

 though by this time they all felt nearly sure the tiger 

 must have escaped them, they determined to know what 

 was behind that bush. The green leaves were already 

 tickling the elephant's trunk, when it was seized by the 

 tiger, who held it fast between his teeth, while he dug his 

 claws deep into the animal's face. The elephant, mad 

 with pain, gave a frightful shriek, and tried to gore the 

 tiger with his tusks, which was not so easy ; and in his frantic 

 plunges the driver ran a great risk of being thrown from 

 his seat, and trampled to death between them. At length 

 a furious shake forced the tiger to loosen his hold, and 

 he turned and fled down the ravine, while the elephant 

 danced with passion on the bank. When he had grown a 

 little calmer, they all turned and went after the tiger. 



He was at last brought to bay a hundred yards 

 further down, and this time sprang straight at the head 

 of one of the other elephants. But the shots he had 

 already received were now beginning to tell, and his 

 attack was not so fierce as before. Another ball ended 

 his struggles ; he let go the elephant's trunk, and, rolling 

 heavily on the ground, turned over quite dead. 



