SINGULAR MODE OF HUNTING THE TIGER. 221 



got sight on a line rather low behind the shoulders, I 

 pulled the trigger. Bang ! A shower of sand rattled on 

 the dry leaves, and a terrific roar of rage and pain satis- 

 fied me that the shot had been a telling one. The white 

 smoke was blown away, and then I beheld the monster 

 writhing where he had fallen. Either guided by the fire, 

 or by some slight noise made in the excitement of the mo- 

 ment, he saw me, and with a yell that pierced my ears, 

 scrambled up. The thunder of his roar filled the valley, 

 and the echoes, among the hills, answered as at the com- 

 mand of a dreaded tyrant. I immediately perceived that 

 the monsters hind quarters were paralyzed, and that how- 

 ever ferocious might be his will his power to harm me had 

 departed. He sank down again upon his elbows, and I 

 saw the blood flowing from a wound in the loins. But 

 the countenance had more of the terrific in its expression 

 than anything I had ever beheld. The glare of that fero- 

 cious eye, caused my flesh to creep. But as he gazed 

 upon me, in helpless malignity, I took aim at his breast, 

 and ere the smoke cleared away, the monster was stretched 

 in death beside the slaughtered cow. 



Although naturally elated by this easy victory over so 

 formidable a foe, I did not forget the tigress. Indeed. I 

 was apprehensive that she would attack my ricketty hut. 

 But at the end of about half an hour, I heard her roar 

 echoing far away among the hills, and all dread was al- 



19* 



