74 ARDENMOHR. 



" Even the big one ? " the Major asked ; " did he 

 not pull strong ? " 



" Oh yes, for a few minutes, and even ran out to 

 the deep open water ; but he soon lost pluck, and 

 hung about the weeds till Dick gaffed him." 



" Like most tyrannical bullies, easily .cowed when 

 tackled, Fred." 



" Did you find it so with tigers, Major ? " 



" I had little experience of tigers, Fred, except 

 in shooting from a howdah a tower on the back 

 of an elephant; but, as a rule, all the cat tribe 

 are shy and nervous, unless wounded or cornered, 

 then they are dangerous." 



I asked the Major about the arena fights of 

 buffalo and tiger, when, it is said, the tiger always 

 funks ; and if he had seen any such trial. 



"No: but it is hardly fair play," he said; "the 

 bos is among friends, and the other is like a fox in a 

 trap. However, I once saw a panther so baited, 

 and it was nearly the same ; but he was too nimble, 

 and did not get pinned." 



"Then, Major," said Fred, "you never shot a 

 tiger ? " 



"I may have from a howdah, as I have been 

 at the death of several; but, certainly, not on foot. 



