TIGER. 345 



ing ease as to appear scarce an impediment to the 

 animal's flight. It is affirmed, that if the Tiger 

 happens to miss his aim, he does not pursue his 

 prey, but, as if ashamed of his disappointment, 

 runs off. In the beginning of the present cen- 

 tury (says Mr. Pennant), a company, seated un- 

 der the shade of some trees, near the banks of a 

 river in Bengal, were surprised by the unexpected 

 sight of a Tiger preparing for its fatal spring; 

 when a lady, with almost unexampled presence 

 of mind, furled a large umbrella in the animal's 

 face, which instantly retired, and thus gave 

 an opportunity of escaping from so terrible a 

 neighbour. Another party had not the same 

 good fortune, but in the height of their entertain- 

 ment lost, in an instant, one of their companions,, 

 who was seized and carried off by a Tiger. But 

 the fatal accident which so lately occurred in the 

 East Indies must be still fresh in the memory of 

 all who read the dreadful description given by an 

 eye-witness of the scene. " We went (says the 

 narrator) on shore on San gar island, to shoot 

 deer, of which we saw innumerable tracks, as well 

 as of Tigers; notwithstanding which, we con- 

 tinued our diversion till near three o'clock, when, 

 sitting down by the side of a jungle to refresh our- 

 selves, a roar like thunder was heard, and an im- 

 mense Tiger seized on our unfortunate friend*, and 

 rushed again into the jungle, dragging him through 



* Mr. Monro, son of Sir Hector Monro, bait. This fatal event 

 took place in the year 1792. 



V. I. P. IT. 23 



