ADVENTURES IN CAMP AND JUNGLE. 289 



and having arranged myself comfortably, sent orders for tlie 

 beaters to come on. As a tigress with cubs is always inclined 

 to be dangerous,' they advanced very slowly, keeping up an 

 incessant noise. Presently my gun-bearer whispered that the 

 tiger was coming on, and in a few seconds he emerged slowly 

 from a mass of green willows, and came quietly towards me. 

 He was evidently annoyed at being disturbed, stopping now 

 and then and giving a quiet grin, which disclosed his long 

 white fangs. I allowed him to come within fifteen yards, and 

 then sent a two-ounce ball crashing between his eyes. He 

 fell heavily forward stone-dead. 



Meanwhile, the beaters advanced, and I hoped that they 

 would drive out the tigress, but we never saw her. Three 

 cubs, however, came out small beasts about three feet long. 

 These were shot by the beaters. The tiger I had shot was a 

 large handsome beast, with a rich dark-coloured skin, which 

 my men there and then removed under the deep shade of 

 some green bushes by the water- side. I was half inclined to 

 go in search of the tigress, but sundry native officials were 

 awaiting my return to camp ; so, leaving my men to follow, I 

 mounted my horse and rode off with my orderly. 



We were passing through a wild bit of country the entire 

 surface of the ground being covered with black sheet rock, 

 thinly sprinkled with short dry grass. Stunted unjun-trees 

 grew in all directions, and the green of their small dark foliage 

 formed a pleasing contrast to the leafless trees around them. 

 We were cantering along the track at a brisk pace when I ob- 

 served a large cheetah or hunting leopard standing among the 

 trees near the road. The air was trembling with mirage from 

 the intense heat, and at first sight I thought it was a royal 

 tiger, for he loomed large. I hoped that my gun-bearers might 

 not be far off, and that by heading the beast we might induce 



u 



