CHANCE OF A POSSIBLE " RECORD " MISSED 



As this hill was but a short distance up and there was 

 yet sufficient light, I decided to beat it on spec. We 

 accordingly made for the spot where, taking up my position 

 near a tree with Bapu beside me, I told the rest to go 

 round and work over the hill towards us. Parallel to, 

 and at the foot of the hill, was a dry water-course, the 

 far side of which was covered with dense reed and 

 bushes. 



I had my '500 Express as well as a 10-bore rifle, which 

 Bapu was carrying, the latter being intended for the bison 

 I had hitherto failed to find. 



Scarcely had the men reached the top of the hill, which 

 was studded with teak trees and bush, when I saw a 

 splendid bull bison emerge from the reeds, and come 

 walking along the water-course directly for our tree, which 

 he passed to the left, about five paces' distant. 



Quickly exchanging the Express for the 10-bore, I had 

 covered his massive shoulder, and was about to press the 

 trigger, when Bapu suddenly drew my attention to a huge 

 tiger which was trotting down the hill immediately opposite 

 us ! 



The position was now a difficult and most perplexing 

 one, for here was I with a bull bison to my left and a tiger 

 to my right, free to shoot at either, perhaps at both, and 

 thus, with luck, create perhaps a record " right and 

 left " ! 



It was an achievement by no means impossible, but 

 unfortunately not destined to come off. Deciding to take 

 the tiger, I foolishly changed rifles again, and quietly as 

 this was done, the movement was sufficient to betray 

 us. The tiger, now only some twelve yards off, detected 

 us at once, and swerving abruptly to the left, went lumbering 

 down the hill. 



He passed me at a fast gallop. I managed, however, to 

 hit him, and on receiving the shot, he lurched heavily 

 forward but held on, and entering a thick bamboo jungle 

 bordering the hill, was soon lost to view. 



As it was too late now to follow him, we postponed the 

 pursuit to the next morning, when we took up his tracks. 

 We found a few drops of blood at first, but after a time these 

 ceased to show, and though we followed up the pugs for a 



45 



