366 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



right up to and past his position. The trigger of 

 his trusty heavy rifle was touched, and a bullet 

 crashed into the advancing body, which, turning a 

 complete somersault, rolled over like a stricken hare. 

 The left barrel was discharged at the doubled-up 

 lump of quivering flesh ; but it was unnecessary, 

 for the first had proved fatal. 



Norman, who had turned in his tree, now managed 

 to bring his gun to bear, and inquired if he should 

 fire. 



" No, no," was the reply. " It's all right. He is 

 as dead as a door-nail." 



Hit within a distance of seven or eight yards, the 

 first bullet had struck the tiger in the head, passed 

 through, and, after traversing half the length of the 

 body, lodged just within the skin of the belly. 



The whole affair was seen by the beaters from 

 their commanding position on the cliffs and upper 

 ground, and the fall was welcomed with a chorus of 

 approving and congratulatory howls. 



Roopur was still standing prominently forward 

 on his rock ; and he now again turned his gaze 

 upwards towards Rugonauth, as, pointing with his 

 lean, scraggy arm down to the gap below, he asked 

 him, with a derisive shout, if he was satisfied. 



Leaping from his perch, however, he soon scrnm- 

 bled down the nigged hill-side, and shortly stood 



