MOSTLY ABOUT BEARS 169 



fired, but the bullet struck a sapling, about 

 three inches in diameter, which was partly- 

 covering the body of the tiger, and which I was 

 unable to see from my machan, as the distance 

 was considerable. The aim was a little high, 

 but the bullet would, I think, have struck the 

 tiger but for this obstacle. 



The second tiger I missed in a beat in the 

 Chanda district when I was alone. The tiger 

 was making determined efforts to break out of 

 the beat on my left ; and the Stops, who knew 

 their business, were turning him back. I ought 

 to have trusted the Gonds, but I was afraid that 

 the tiger would break out without giving me a 

 shot ; and, as he dashed back into the beat 

 from the nearest Stop on my left, I caught a 

 glimpse of him in the undergrowth and fired. 



I thought that I had missed, but could not be 

 sure ; and, not wishing to endanger the beaters, 

 I stopped the beat, and the tiger got away. If I 

 had allowed the beat to proceed, I might have 

 got the tiger, as he was still in the beat, and 

 the Gonds were beating well ; but I was unwilling 

 to expose them to an unfair risk. 



The shot was a difficult one, but I ought not 

 to have fired at all ; and the fact that my last 

 two shots at tigers were misses is one which it 

 gives me no pleasure to remember. 



