vi THE TIGER 123 



Presently, when within a few feet of the green bush, I distinguished 

 a portion of the tiger, but I could not determine whether it was 

 the shoulder or the hind-quarter. Driving the elephant steadily 

 forward, with the rifle to my shoulder, I at length obtained a 

 complete view. The tiger was lying dead ! 



Sanderson's last shot had hit it exactly behind the shoulder ; 

 but the first right and left had missed when the tiger charged 

 down the line, exemplifying the difficulty of shooting accurately 

 with an elephant moving in high excitement. 



We now loaded an elephant with this grand beast and started 

 it off to camp, where Lady Baker had already received two leopards. 

 We had done pretty well for the 1st of April, but after this last 

 shot our luck for the day was ended. 



This day unfortunately deprived me of my companion, as the 

 fever which had been dormant developed itself in Sanderson and 

 completely prostrated him. He had a peculiar objection to quinine, 

 therefore in default of remedies, which were all at hand, he 

 remained a great sufferer during three successive weeks, and I was 

 left alone with the long line of elephants to complete the driving 

 of the innumerable churs below the village of Rohumari. I must 

 pay Mr. Sanderson the well-merited compliment of praising his 

 staff of mahouts, who were, with their well-trained animals, placed 

 at my disposal; these men exhibited the result of such perfect 

 discipline and organisation, that, although a perfect stranger to 

 them, I had not the slightest difficulty; on the contrary, they 

 worked with me for twenty days as though I had been their old 

 master for as many years. No better proof could be adduced of 

 the excellent management of Mr. Sanderson's department. 



The sport on 1st April had raised my expectations, but I 

 quickly discovered that it was an exceptional day, and that the 

 rule would be disappointing. A little experience introduced me 

 to the various characters of the elephants which composed our 

 pack, and I amused myself by arranging them according to their 

 qualifications, the heavier and slower animals in the centre, and 

 the more active at either end of the line. Each elephant was to 

 retain invariably the same position every day, as the mahouts and 

 their beasts would be more likely to act harmoniously if always 

 associated together in the beat. The fast elephants, being at the 

 extreme ends, would be able to turn quickly upon the centre when- 

 ever necessary. Four elephants were told off as scouts ; these 

 were the most active, with intelligent mahouts. The men appeared 

 to take an intense interest in the sport, and in the regularity of 

 the arrangements, as they were equally aware with myself of the 



