vi THE TIGER 133 



ground a rustling in the bush announced the presence of some 

 animal which could not much longer remain concealed. Suddenly 

 a large panther bounded across the open, and I took a snap-shot, 

 which struck it through the body a few inches behind the shoulder. 

 It rolled over to the shot, but immediately disappeared in the 

 thick jungle a few paces opposite. 



I called the line of elephants, and we lost no time in beating 

 the neighbouring bush in the closest order, as I fully expected the 

 panther would be crouching beneath the tangled mass of foliage. 



In a short time the elephants sounded, and without more ado 

 the panther forsook its cover and dashed straight at Thompson, 

 seizing this large elephant by the shoulder-joint, and hanging on 

 like a bull-dog with teeth and claws. Away went Thompson 

 through the tangled rose-bushes, tearing along like a locomotive ! 

 It was impossible to fire, as the panther was concealed beneath 

 the projecting 'pad below the howdah, and I could not see it. In 

 this manner we travelled at railway pace for about 100 yards, 

 when I imagine the friction of the thick bush through which we 

 rushed must have been too much for the resistance of the attacking 

 party, and the panther lost its hold ; in another instant it dis- 

 appeared in the dense jungle. 



I now changed my elephant, and rode a steady female 

 (Nielmonne"), and the line having re-formed, we advanced slowly 

 through the bush. We had not gone 50 yards before the 

 elephants scented the panther, and knowing the stealthy habits 

 of the animal I formed a complete circle around the spot, and 

 closed in until we at length espied the spotted hide beneath the 

 bush. A charge of buckshot killed it without a struggle. 



According to my own experience, .there can be no comparison 

 in the sport of hunting up a tiger upon a good elephant in open 

 country, and the more general plan of driving forest with guns 

 placed in position before a line of beaters. By the former method 

 the hunter is always in action, and in the constant hope of 

 meeting with his game, while the latter method requires much 

 patience, and too frequently results in disappointment. Neverthe- 

 less, to kill tigers, every method must be adopted according to the 

 conditions of different localities. 



Under all circumstances, if possible, a dependable elephant 

 should be present, as many unforeseen cases may arrive when the 

 hunter would be helpless in the absence of such an animal ; but, 

 as we have already seen, the danger is extreme should the 

 elephant be untrustworthy, as a runaway beast may be an amuse- 

 ment upon open grass-land, but fatal to the rider in thick forest. 



