122 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



emerged from the tamarisk upon 11 flat space, where the tall gross 

 had Iwcn burnt while yet unripe, and although killed by the fire 

 and rendered transparent, it was a mass of black and yellow that 

 would match woll with a tiger's colour. We now extended the 

 line in more open order, to occupy the entire space of about 200 

 yards front ; Sanderson kept his position in the centre of the line, 

 while I took my stand in an open space about 150 yards in advance, 

 where an animal would of necessity cross should it be driven for- 

 ward by the beat. 



The line advanced in good order. The elephants were much 

 disturbed, and they evidently scented danger. 



They had not marched more than 50 or 60 yards before a 

 tremendous succession of roars scattered them for a few moments, 

 as a large tiger charged along the line, making splendid bounds, 

 and showing his entire length, as he made demonstrations of attack 

 upon several elephants in quick rotation. It was a magnificent 

 sight to see this grand animal, in the fullest strength and vigour, 

 defy the line of advancing monsters, every one of which quailed 

 before the energy of his attack and the threatening power of his 

 awe-inspiring roars. The sharp cracks of two shots from Sander- 

 son, whose elephant was thus challenged by the tiger, hardly 

 interrupted the stirring scene; but, as the enemy rushed down 

 the line, receiving the fire from Sanderson's howdah, he did not 

 appear to acknowledge the affront, and having effected his purpose 

 of paralysing the advance, he suddenly disappeared from view. 



I was in hopes that he would break across the open which I 

 commanded, but there was no sign of movement in the high grass. 

 The line of elephants again advanced slowly and cautiously; 

 suddenly at a signal they halted, and I observed Sanderson, whose 

 elephant was a few yards in advance of the line, halt, and, stand- 

 ing up, take a deliberate aim in the grass in front. He fired ; a 

 tremendous roar was the response, and the tiger, bounding forward, 

 appeared as though he would assuredly cross my path. Instead of 

 this, after a rush of about 50 or 60 yards I saw the tall grass 

 only gently moving, as the animal had reduced its pace to the 

 usual stealthy walk. The grass ceased moving in a spot within 

 30 paces, and exactly opposite my position. I marked a bush 

 upon which were a few green shoots that had sprouted since the 

 fire had scorched the grass. I was certain that the tiger had 

 halted exactly boneath that mark. My mahout drove the elephant 

 slowly and carefully forward, and I was standing ready for the 

 expected shot, keeping my eyes well open for an expected charge ; 

 Sanderson was closing in mton the same point from his position. 



