TIGERLAND 



accentuate the contrast with its past. There was little of 

 the original left, what there was being held together with 

 recent bindings of red tape a fit emblem of its prospective 

 occupant ! However, a howdah, even though an antiquated 

 one, is not to be despised when one is in pursuit of such 

 dangerous game as tigers, especially so active an animal 

 as this one had proved itself to be. So, thankful for small 

 mercies, I clambered into it as gingerly as I could. 



The cover was about half a mile distant, and we were 

 just about starting for it when, much to my surprise, the 

 inspector of the division, an enormously fat and most 

 unsportsmanlike individual, came puffing and panting up, 

 mounted on a diminutive pony, and having made his 

 obeisance, requested permission to accompany me on the 

 plea that he had never seen a tiger, and was most anxious 

 to do so. 



Permission was readily accorded, though I confess I was 

 at a loss to imagine how my valiant but extremely obese 

 subordinate proposed elevating his huge, unwieldy person 

 on to the back of an elephant. However, he had evidently 

 grasped the situation, for, selecting one of the smallest 

 animals, he first sent up a stalwart constable, then, order- 

 ing two others to push from below, he was gradually, but 

 painfully, hauled on to his perch, maintaining his position 

 by sitting astride the narrow pad instead of sideways as is 

 usual. 



We now started, and soon reached the jungle a com- 

 paratively small one, though connected by a narrow strip 

 of grass with a much larger patch about two hundred yards 

 off. Taking up my position in the centre of this grass, I 

 directed the inspector, who, in virtue of his rank, I appointed 

 second in command, to take himself and his forces to the far 

 side of the cover, and to beat it up towards me. 



He marched off, full of importance, and having 

 marshalled his five elephants into something approaching 

 a line, proceeded to carry out my instructions. From 

 where I was posted I could see the taller elephants of the 

 line, as it advanced in my direction, and I was expecting 

 every moment to hear the tiger break. 



Suddenly there was a loud squeal from one of the 

 elephants, followed by a general commotion all along the 

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