HOG-HUNTERS MEETING BY SURPRISE A TIGRESS AND CUBS 



LIKE the big game of North America, the Indian tiger is now- a- days fast disappearing from 

 the scene, and has to be sought out with elaborate preparation. But a century ago, when he. 

 abounded in numbers that would gladden the heart of a modern sportsman, it was not uncommon 

 for those in quest of other game to find themselves face to face with a foe whom their equip- 

 ment ill-fitted them to encounter. Such an incident, taken from real life, is depicted in the 

 present Plate. As a detachment of troops is marching from Berhampore to Cawnpore, a hog 

 crosses the line, and the officers, snatching spears from their syces, always ready for such a 

 contingency, are quickly in pursuit of the quarry. They have not, however, gone far when the 

 foremost rider, already exulting in the thought of taking " first spear," suddenly finds himself 

 abreast of a tigress that with a litter of cubs is basking behind a large byre (wild plum) bush. 

 A stampede is the prompt result, some of the sportsmen, owing to the terror of their horses, 

 having a very narrow escape, but succeeding in killing their pig. Returning to camp, they 

 arm themselves for vengeance upon the intruder, but only to find that maternal solicitude has 

 enjoined the better part of valour. In the sloping background of the scene is the line of troops 

 with their baggage animals, camels and elephants, and behind them again the ranges of hills 

 which form a border to the east and west of Bengal and Behar. 



