TIGERS. 113 



return from the Carnatic, and as it was passing 

 through the Chittro Ghaut, a tiger made a 

 spring at one of the loaded camels, and with 

 one blow broke the thigh bone. He would 

 have immediately commenced devouring it, 

 if the rear guard, and a number of camp fol- 

 lowers had not been at hand. The force re- 

 quired to break such a large bone must have 

 been very great, and the tiger extremely hun- 

 gry to venture an attack at such a time. 



Once when I w r as on a visit to Captain 

 John Ranken at Sheherghautty, about twen- 

 ty eight miles from Chittrah, below the 

 Ghauts; my return was suddenly required. 

 It was in the month of June when the weath- 

 er was extremely hot, and the palanquin carri- 

 ers at Sheherghautty were all engaged, so 

 that I was compelled to travel on horseback. 

 I left Captain Ranken's house about eleven 

 o'clock at night, accompanied with a Syce 

 and Link-man another Link-man^ and two 

 men carrying my cloathes and hookah, two 

 Khedmutghars, and a Hookahburdar , follow - 



I 



