TIGERS. 91 



was the only instance I ever knew or heard of a 

 tiger's attacking an elephant unprovoked ; and on 

 examining the body of the tiger, the cause was 

 discovered. Not long before this, he must have 

 struck at a porcupine, as several of the quills were 

 still remaining between the joints of * one of his 

 fore feet, which was swollen greatly, and must 

 have given him excruciating pain. This, I sup- 

 pose, made him quit the covers for the open 

 country, and accounts for his being so furious. 



Of the few people that I have known survive 

 after having been wounded by tigers, the two fol- 

 lowing were the most extraordinary cases : 



Two Biparies * were driving a string of loaded 

 bullocks to Chittrah from Palamow ; when with- 

 in a few miles of the former place, a tiger seized 

 on a man in the rear, which was seen by a 

 Guallah (herdsman) as he was watching his 

 buffaloes grazing. He boldly ran to the man's 

 assistance, and cut the tiger severely with his 

 sword ; upon which, he dropped the Biparie and 

 seized the herdsman : the buffaloes observing it, 



* Bipur signifies merchandise, and Biparies are people 

 who buy grain and other articles, which they transport from 

 one part of the country to another on bullocks. 



