iv SOME REFLECTIONS 79 



being left to die in suffering, and all because the 

 sportsman was too cautious to go and put him out 

 of his misery. 



On his return to camp, through an interpreter, he 

 heard the shikaree's story. 



What was my horror to find that, when he first 

 touched me, sitting under a bush about 5 yards 

 from the dead bullock were two tigers. There they 

 sat licking their lips. Every moment he expected 

 to hear me fire (so thick was the tree he could not 

 see me or see the tigers beginning to eat). It seems 

 about this time poor I, who was quite unconscious 

 of their vicinity, made the very slightest movement. 

 One of them immediately cocked his head and made 

 a sign to the other, who got up as if to silently 

 reconnoitre the premises. It was at this one I fired. 

 Oh ! me miserum, as poor old ^Eneas used to say in 

 his trouble. Most likely had I not fired I should 

 have got a double shot. A lesson is taught, experi- 

 ence gained, but alas, how dearly ! Never again 

 shall this pen have to record V. A. B.'s imprudence, 

 want of judgment, etc., in firing at a tiger unless 

 at a vital spot. 



