A CONTUMACIOUS TIGER. 159 



we managed almost to defy the more mild assaults made on 

 our elephant. 



On getting clear of the heavy jungle in which the bees 

 had been disturbed, some sort of order was re-established, 

 although many of them pertinaciously stuck to us, and we 

 did not get entirely rid of the angry swarm for a long time. 

 Notwithstanding each of us being provided with a blanket, 

 which is usually kept ready for wrapping about one's head 

 in an emergency of this sort, there was a visible change in 

 the features of some of the party when we came to compare 

 notes after our disorderly retreat. 



But the excitement of this day's beat was not to end with 

 the departure of the bees, for we had hardly got quit of them 

 when a sound was heard, and not very far off either, that 

 caused us all to prick up our ears. It was the deep guttural 

 growl of a tiger, which, judging from the angry tone of its 

 voice, was in a contumacious humour. 



On we all push in line towards the spot from whence the 

 sound had proceeded. Before reaching it, an unexpected 

 obstacle occurs in the shape of a deep narrow nullah, wuth 

 precipitous banks, and almost hidden by the long grass 

 growing on both sides of it. Whilst I am pondering in my 

 mind as to what could have induced the tiger to betray its 

 whereabouts in this unusual manner, Golab Soondrie has 

 been making a path for lierself by breaking down the steep 

 bank with her feet, and her fore-quarters are now in the 

 nullah, the top of her head being about level with the oppo- 

 site bank, when, with a succession of furious hoarse grunts, a 

 big striped object comes rushing through the grass towards 

 us. I only catch a glimpse of the charging brute, and can- 

 not shoot, as the elephant, from being so much taken by 

 surprise at this sudden and unprovoked attack, wheels 

 sharply round with a jerk that is almost enough to send me 

 out of the howdah. Quick as thought, Golab Soondrie has 

 her fore-legs up the bank again, and our position becomes 

 rather critical, for her hind-quarters are now in the nullah, 



