TIGER HUNTING 479 



While strictly following an order of march like the one 

 described, the drivers run little risk, even in the thickest 

 jungle-; but the difficulty is to keep them together, as the least 

 success immediately tempts them to disperse. 



On one of these hunting expeditions Ensign Elliott, a friend 

 of the Colonel's, had an almost miraculous escape. Accompanied 

 by about forty drivers they had entered a jungle, which did not 

 seem to promise much sport, and had mounted with their rifles 

 upon some small trees to await the issue of the explorations, 

 when suddenly their people roused a beautiful tiger, who ad- 

 vanced slowly towards them. They remained perfectly silent, 

 but one of their followers posted upon another tree, and fearing 

 they might be surprised by the animal, called out to them to be 

 upon their guard. This was enough to make the tiger change 

 his direction, so that they had scarcely time to send a bullet 

 after him. His loud roar announced that he was wounded, but 

 the distance was already too great to admit of his being 

 effectually hit a second time, so that the impatient sportsmen 

 now pursued him with more eagerness than caution. At the 

 head of their troop, they marched through the jungle, follow- 

 ing the bloody trail of the animal, until at length they emerged 

 into an open country, when all further traces were lost. In 

 vain some of their people climbed upon the highest trees, 

 nothing was to be perceived either in the bushes or in the high 

 grass. Meanwhile the Englishmen slowly walked on, about 

 twenty paces in advance, attentively gazing upon the ground, 

 when suddenly with a terrific roar the tiger bounded upon 

 Colonel Eice from a hollow, concealed beneath the herbage. The 

 gallant sportsman had scarcely time to fire both his barrels at 

 the head of the monster, who diverted from the attack by this 

 warm reception, now made an enormous spring at Ensign 

 Elliott before he had time to aim. All this was the work of a 

 moment, for on turning towards the tiger, the Colonel saw* his 

 unfortunate friend prostrate under the paws of the furious 

 brute. 



Immediately the shikarree with admirable coolness handed 

 him a freshly loaded rifle ; he discharged one of the barrels 

 without effect, but v^^as then obliged to pause, as the tiger had 

 seized his friend by the arm and was dragging him towards 

 the hole from whence he had sprung forth. Thus it was 



