192 THE HUNTING GEOUNDS 



ing tliat I was not pursued, I reloaded with ball, 

 and " Eichard was himself again," for I must own 

 my serenity of mind was somewhat disturbed at such 

 an unlooked-for rencontre, Chineah, attracted by 

 the double report, now came up, and, having taken 

 my pet rifle from him, I slung the smooth-bore over 

 my shoulder, directed him to remain quiet in a tree, 

 and again made my way to the scene of action. I 

 soon came across the tiger's pugs, and followed them 

 up to a pool of water where there were marks of his 

 having quenched his thirst a few moments before. 



The double charge of shot I administered at such 

 close quarters had evidently taken effect, for the 

 trail was marked with large crimson drops, and I 

 knew that his sight was partially if not entirely de- 

 stroyed, as from time to time he had struck his head 

 ao"ainst the steep banks on each side of the nullah, 

 leaving large gouts of blood behind him. In a few 

 minutes I heard sundry strange noises in a patch of 

 reeds and corinda-bushes by the side of the nullah, 

 and from the " swearing " of a troop of monkeys in 

 the trees overhead on each bank I knew what to 

 expect. I clambered up a boulder of rock, from 

 whence I could see the tiger going round and round 

 evidently quite blind, for every now and then he 

 knocked his head against stones and bushes, when 

 he would give a short angry roar, tear up the ground, 

 and bite at everything within his reach. I saw at 

 a glance how matters were, so stealing gently up I 

 aimed just behind the shoulder, and the ball passing 



