TIGER-SHOOTING. 187 



some ten feet from the ground. Below this tree 

 the dry rumnah grass grew to a height of some 

 two feet. 



On our way thither the tiger jumped up about 

 one hundred yards off, and charged down at us, 

 roaring loudly. It was all brag on his part, how- 

 ever, for he dared not face the open, and the ele- 

 phant stood like a rock. Turning back, he again 

 repeated this manoauvre as we advanced, till he 

 finally came to a standstill under the very tree in 

 which it was intended I should be posted. Getting 

 within about eighty yards of him, we saluted him 

 with a volley, of which he took no notice. Hebbert 

 then fired at him, and rolled him over. We saw 

 him kicking about in the grass, then all was still, 

 so we advanced a little closer, and treated him to 

 a little ' independent firing,' to make sure (proh 

 pudor ! only one bullet hit him ; but shooting off a 

 pad is not calculated to ensure steadiness of aim), 

 when he jumped up and sprang at the tree, scor- 

 ing its trunk deeply with his claws to a height of 

 some fourteen feet, and far above where I should 

 have been sitting. This, however, was his expir- 

 ing effort, and he fell back dead. He was a fine 

 tiger, and measured nine feet, six inches. Had 

 we dismounted, and gone up to him whilst lying 

 apparently dead, the consequences might have 

 proved serious to some of us. 



