200 The Hunting Grounds 



was only loaded with No. 4 shot, I let drive right 

 and left full into his face. Before the smoke cleared 

 away, the tiger, uttering an appalling shriek of rage, 

 sprang clear over my head, and fell with a crash 

 against the opposite bank : whilst I, without waiting 

 to watch his further movements, gave " leg bail, " and 

 ran in a contrary direction down the nullah. Finding 

 that I was not pursued, I reloaded with ball, and 

 " Richard was himself again," for I must own my 

 serenity of mind was somewhat disturbed at such an 

 unlooked-for rencontre. Chineah, attracted by the 

 double report, now came up, and, having taken my 

 pet rifle from him, I slung the smooth-bore over my 

 shoulder, directed him to remain quiet in a tree, and 

 again made my way to the scene of action. I soon 

 came across the tiger's pugs, and followed them up 

 to a pool of water where there were marks of his 

 having quenched his thirst a few moments before. 



The double charge of shot I administered at such 

 close quarters had evidently taken effect, for the 

 trail was marked with large crimson drops, and I 

 knew that his sight was partially if not entirely 

 destroyed, as from time to time he had struck his 

 head against the steep banks on each side of the 

 nullah, leaving large gouts of blood behind him. 

 In a few minutes I heard sundry strange noises in a 

 patch of reeds and corinda-bushes by the side of the 

 nullah, and from the " swearing" of a troop of 



