362 THE TIGER. 



noticed that no driver could check or turn them aside. So it was with the elephant 

 Pointing his nose toward the village, he swung into his ungainly trot, and not all 

 the efforts of his three riders could restrain him, though they exerted themselves to 

 the point of desperation. 



Dick Brownell laughed over the discomfiture of his friend, especially as it had 

 been believed that, if either of the elephants showed any panic, it would be the 

 female ridden by him ; but there was too serious business before the party for the 

 youth to spend any time in looking at the group that were making such good time 

 toward the village. 



The break of the cowardly brute seemed to be the signal for the drama to open. 



The tiger could not have failed to see that the whole party were intruders, and 

 that a good chance was presented for teaching them a needed lesson, as well as for 

 procuring a grander feast than he had ever yet enjoyed. 



Holding himself erect, he now began walking straight toward the horseman 

 with that soft, cat-like tread that adds to the terror inspired by his presence. The 

 distance was too great for him to leap, and he was merely seeking to shorten the 

 space enough to make it an easy task. 



You may be sure that the pony finished his attitudinizing about that time. He 

 spun around like a top, and dashed off at the height of his speed, which was much 

 greater than that of the tiger. 



The latter broke into a gallop, keeping in a direct line with the horse, which 

 shot by the elephant at a distance of no more than a dozen feet. Thus the pursuer 

 was brought near the animal on which Dick was perched and who bravely held her 

 ground. 



Seeing that it was useless to follow the horseman, and finding himself close to 

 the two hunters, the tiger seemed to conclude: 



"You'll do just as well." 



At any rate, without the least hesitation, he veered in his course and made 

 straight for Dick and Jim 1 



