222 COOLIE SUPERSTITION. 



layed. Nevertheless, I did not attempt to court sleep, 

 but watched the splendid prize until day dimmed the stars 

 and invited me to issue from my little castle. 



A magnificent prize, indeed ! As I stood gazing upon 

 the beautiful skin, and the countenance so fixed in its de- 

 termined ferocity, I was startled by a rustling near me, 

 and, on turning quickly, I beheld Mr. Barrill, the Parsees, 

 and several Coolies, whose impatience would not permit 

 them to await my return. At the sight of the tiger they 

 raised a shout of exultation, and showered congratulations 

 upon me. 



I here witnessed for the first time the performance of a 

 superstitious rite by the Coolies. With the gravest 

 movements imaginable, one of them kindled a small fire, 

 and taking a brand, proceeded to singe off the whiskers 

 of the tiger. Fearful that he intended to spoil the skin, 

 Mr. Barrill called out to know what he was doing, when 

 one of our Parsees informed us that the natives of India, 

 believed that the performance of this simple rite, would 

 lay the spirit of the tiger. Mr. Barrill smiled, but the 

 remembrance of that tiger's last look of malignity, caused 

 me to think that the sensitive Coolies had some justification 

 for their singular belief. 



The Coolies constructed a litter on which they placed 

 the tiger, and we returned to the village in triumphal 

 procession, firing guns and shouting so loudly, that the 



