REVERENCE FOR A GOOD SHOT. 367 



in front of Mackenzie as he leant over the dead 

 tiger. 



Accustomed only to the use of the matchlock, 

 and the slow and pottering character of the firing 

 its make necessitates, the rapid yet successful aim 

 at an animal and that so fierce a one as a tiger 

 at full speed, appeared to him a prodigy of nerve, 

 quickness, and dexterity. For a brief space he looked 

 at Mackenzie with an aspect of profound admiration. 

 He viewed him at the moment as something more 

 than human of an order of created things far supe- 

 rior to any he had hitherto met ; and, under the 

 influence of the sentiments of reverential awe thus 

 inspired, he prostrated himself at Mackenzie's feet. 



" Hulloo ! what the deuce ! Get up, man ! what 

 are you at ? " ejaculated Mackenzie, rather astonished 

 at the excessive respect with which he was being 

 treated. " Get up ! " he repeated ; and as the man 

 arose, and disclosed the features of Roopur, he con- 

 tinued, " What ! Roopur, is it you ? Did you never 

 see a tiger killed before ? You marked down the 

 beast very well. He broke famously. Your work 

 is good." 



" I have seen tigers killed before, Sahib. With 

 this matchlock my father killed seven before me, 

 and since then, his son, I even I, Roopur have 

 slain five. But never saw I such a shot as to-dav." 



