20 A TIGER HUNT IN INDIA 



My native becomes uneasy. I feel his hand 

 press gently upon my arm. His finger points 

 almost imperceptibly in the direction of a 

 species of cave in the undergrowth, about a 

 hundred paces to my right. Suddenly I see 

 a yellow spot, very quietly moving. 



At last ! 



Now he comes fully into view. He slinks 

 slowly forward, then stops, looking suspiciously 

 round towards the beaters, as if he would say : 

 " Don't you worry me too much ! I am only 

 going of my own free will, you miserable 

 puppets ! " 



I was so absorbed in the contemplation of 

 the splendid brute, that I almost forgot to 

 raise my rifle. The sights trembled percep- 

 tibly, but at last the shot rang out. 



A roar which shook me to the marrow broke 

 upon the silent air. I have never heard 

 anything to equal it. 



I had hit him a little too low, but the animal 

 fell and was unable to move. My second 

 bullet finished him. 



The suspense had been so great that I felt 



