94 MODERN PIG-STICKING 



the tiger, for he never went thirty yards from the 

 spot. The bullet had gone through his loins about 

 an inch below the spine. Forman's rifle jammed in 

 the mechanism with the fine sand, and in spite of 

 his utmost efforts was of no more use in this affair. 



The tiger, a big male, lay roaring, getting up and 

 falling down occasionally. The tigress came, and 

 the watcher in the pit could see her in the brilliant 

 moonlight licking the wounds of her stricken mate. 

 Presently Forman's desperate efforts to free his 

 rifle disturbed the tigress. She walked round the 

 pit growling, but made no effort to dig him out. 

 The hunter meanwhile sat in the corner, revolver 

 in hand, ready for eventualities. The tigress re- 

 turned to her mate and stayed with him until dawn. 



Forman, when there was light enough, seeing 

 the coast clear of the tigress, crept out of his machdn 

 and advanced on the tiger. The tiger also advanced, 

 at a walk, on him. Forman emptied five barrels 

 of his revolver at the tiger without effect. We 

 afterwards dug four bullets out of his cheek, neck, 

 and chest. He then hurled his revolver at the tiger 

 and fled. 



I had marched on the sound of firing, and met 

 Forman retiring. We made a detour so as to have 

 the open stream between us and the tiger. He 

 must have heard us, for as we stepped out of the 

 rushes he was in the water, about fifteen yards away, 

 coming towards us very slowly and painfully, poor 

 beast. 



This fine angry tiger, up to his elbows in the 

 stream, with the backgroimd of white sand and dark 

 green reeds, and the yellow dawn above, made a 

 picture which is as vivid with me now as when I 

 saw it. 



