THE TIGER. S3 



Muscular strength Combat with an elephant. 



a buffalo fallen into a quagmire; and while he 

 went to call for assistance, a tiger came to the 

 spot, and immediately drew out the animal; 

 though the previous efforts of several men united 

 had been of no effect. When the people re- 

 turned, the first object they beheld was the tiger 

 with the buffalo thrown over his shoulder, and 

 carrying it away with the feet upwards, towards 

 his den. On perceiving the men, however, he 

 let fall his prey, and instantly retreated to the 

 woods ; but he had previously killed the buffalo, 

 and sucked its blood. It may be here proper to 

 observe, that some of the Indian buffaloes are 

 twice as heavy as the ordinary run of our black 

 cattle : whence we may form some idea of the 

 prodigious strength of this rapacious animal, 

 which could carry off so enormous a weight with 

 apparent facility. 



Very obstinate combats have sometimes taken 

 place between the tiger and the elephant, and 

 one of these was seen by M. D'Obsonville, in 

 the camp of Hyder Ali. The tiger, not yet of 

 full strength (for he was not more than four feet 

 high) was brought into the area, and fastened 

 with a chain to a stake, round which he could 

 turn freely. On one side, a strong and well- 

 taught elephant was introduced by his keeper. 

 The amphitheatre was enclosed by a triple rank 

 of lance-men. The action, when it commen- 

 ced, was extremely furious; but the elephant, 

 after receiving two deep wounds, proved vic- 



NO. 1. E 



