AMONGST WILD FOWL AND SALMON. 75 



I am not such a perfect rifle shot as to risk my 

 skill with such an active foe. I kept to buffalo 

 and deer, and could always manage to dodge a 

 wounded buffalo ; but the tiger's charge is a dead 

 certainty." 



"Did you never meet one when shooting on 

 foot ? " 



" Only once. We were driving for deer in a 

 nullah, and I was half hid behind a tree, when a 

 large tiger passed within forty yards ; but, as he 

 never noticed me, I let him go. I might have 

 c fluked,' but as likely as not have only wounded 

 him, and been killed. Had you, Fred, been in the 

 cat's mouth, I might have risked it." 



Fred laughed and said, " I believe my discreet 

 cousin there would have pegged at the brute with 

 snipe-shot." 



" And have been killed, or scalped, as Hamilton 

 of ours was, from firing at a leopard with buck-shot." 



" Which of the Hamiltons ? " Ward asked. 



" Clawed Hamilton, of course, you silly Hope," 

 said Fred. 



" Ah ! an extra task for pertness, Mr. Fred." 



" Yes ; and afterwards Major Duncan and I will 

 give you your revenge at whist." 



