A CENTRAL PROVINCE TIGER 143 



forearm. There was one in his ear, going into his 

 head, which must have been the finishing shot. 

 The heart had a shallow rip up the side, and lungs 

 and liver were an absolute mush. One shoulder was 

 broken to bits; that must have been after he fell 

 in the nullah. And to think that he was able and 

 plucky enough to charge on the top of all this ! 



As we walked down the hill I suddenly realized 

 that it was a very cold night and then found that I 

 was simply soaked in perspiration. On the way 

 I tumbled over a rock, and was just scrambling up, 

 when I was seized by many hands, dragged to my 

 feet, and almost carried along to the village. 



On our arrival there was more excitement, women 

 and children of course all turning out. I went oft 

 to a shed to saddle my white pony and tried to start, 

 but the road was blocked by many Indian women 

 holding a rope across it, and with much laughter 

 refusing to let me through till I had paid my way. 



Some outrunners had gone on ahead with the news 

 to the next village, a biggish one, and, on arrival 

 there, our funeral procession was met by torch- 

 bearers and the village orchestra. Such a din ! 

 horns blowing, drums 'beating and shouting on all 

 sides. Fretful Fanny was beside herself with nerves 

 and excitement, and when she found some more 

 women and another rope blocking her path it was too 

 much for her. A few plunges, and the women dropped 

 their rope and fled, and Fanny bolted for home. 



We pulled up when we got well away from the 

 glare and noise, and I waited to be shown the road. 



