162 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



This soon became no longer doubtful, 

 so they took counsel and mounted into 

 the branches of a small tree near at 

 hand, agreeing that when the tiger 

 reached a certain point A. should fire, 

 B. keeping his gun in reserve. The 

 tiger continued slowly to mount the 

 hill towards them ; and as they sat 

 and watched him the suspense grew 

 more and more trying. At last the 

 man who was to have reserved his 

 shot could stand it no longer, and fired, 

 missing the tiger altogether ! But the 

 shot had the effect of leading the tiger 

 to reconsider the matter ; he looked 

 about him, roared, and finally turned 

 and went down the hill again. And 

 so ended a rather exciting after- 

 noon 



