254 SPORTING AND 



explosion which sent me staggering 

 back several yards, and then I tumbled 

 on my back. Of course the tiger's 

 attention was now called to me, and, 

 before I could regain my legs, he was 

 on the top of me and I could feel his 

 hot, foetid breath on my face. I had 

 presence of mind enough to hold in 

 my breathing and feign death, but I 

 do not think this deceived my expe- 

 rienced enemy, for he gave my arm such 

 a bite that it was] all I could do to avoid 

 screaming out with pain ; fortunately, 

 I had on a thick leather shooting dress 

 which prevented his drawing blood, for, 

 if once he had tasted that, it would have 

 been all up with me then and there he 

 would have quietly sat down to his supper, 

 and, after picking my last bone, would 

 have retired into his den to enjoy a 



