THE TIGER-HUNTERS. 337 



Such was the company that set out to hunt down the man-eater which had 

 thrown the whole village into a state of consternation which nothing but the death 

 f the animal could remove. 



Leaving the little town, they headed to the westward, which was toward that 

 part of the jungle where the beast had been seen the evening before. Fully two 

 core men, women and children accompanied the party some distance out on the 

 road, but they turned back before coming in sight of the bamboo hut, and the com- 

 pany was left with the members already mentioned. 



" If the tiger is gone very far into the jungle," said Mr. Godkin, whose elephant 

 was walking so close to Dick's that they could readily converse, " I doubt whether 

 we shall be able to force our animals after him." 



" What then shall be done ? " 



44 We must get the people to drive him out, or, if they refuse, we shall have to 

 dismount and do it ourselves." 



41 1 don't fancy that part of the sport." 



" More than likely we shall find him along the edge of the jungle, in the tall 

 f rass which skirts it, though he may take a notion to dart in among the trees." 



44 How about the beasts we are riding ? " 



41 They have been in the business before, and behaved themselves admirably, 

 though an elephant will sometimes turn tail to a tiger and give him a wide berth." 



4 I wouldn't be surprised if mine did that, for she isn't much bigger than a tigei 

 herself, and can't be any kind of a match for the one we are hunting." 



44 You see how thoroughly Jo understands her. She is a very intelligent creature.' 



44 And there is the trouble her intelligence may tell her that the wisest thing 

 she can do is to locate herself beyond reach of the game." 



44 It is not impossible, but I am hopeful that both will acquit themselves credit- 

 ably. The conduct of an elephant, however, does not depend on his size, and one 

 three times as large as mine is as likely to run as a smaller one." 



During the biief ride along the highway on the back of the little elephant, Dick 

 formed quite a fondness for her. She showed a frolicsome disposition that would 

 have made her a pet with children at once. 



She would trot a few paces in a way that shook the howdah dreadfully. She 

 knew it, and that was the reason she did it 



Jo affected great indignation, and would whack the brute over the head, or prick 

 her ears with the point of his spear. Then she became as meek as a child, and 

 stopped so suddenly that the lad received several vigorous bumps against the front 

 of the howdah before he could prepare himself for the shock. 



A favorite trick of hers was to reach as far around and over her back as she 

 could with her trunk, as if she wished to fondle her riders. But Jo met all such 

 demonstrations with a blow from his spear, which caused the pendulous snout to 

 seek its proper place. 



The female gave one exhibition of playfulness which was relished by all save 

 the victim. 



