492 



We then proceeded to seek the others, having first distin- 

 guished the spot by pitching a tall spear, and tying to the end of 

 it the muslin of a turban. We roused the other three, in close 

 succession, and, with little variation of circumstances, killed them 

 all; the oldest, and most ferocious of the family, had, however, 

 early in the conflict, very sensibly quitted the scene of action, and 

 escaped to another part of the country. 



While the fate of the last and largest was depending, more 

 shots were fired than in the three other attacks; he escaped four 

 several assaults, and taking post in different parts of the jungle, 

 rushed upon us at each wound he received with a kindled rage, 

 and as often put the whole line to flight. In his last pursuit he 

 singled out the elephant upon which Lady Day was; and was at 

 its tail, with jaws distended, and in the act of rising upon his 

 hind paws to fasten on her, when fortunately she cleared the 

 jungle; and a general discharge from the hunters having forced 

 him to give up the chase, he returned to his shelter. The danger, 

 I believe, was not very great; but it was sufficient, when she shall 

 be again invited, to make her say with Lord Chesterfield, when 

 they attempted to allure him to a second fox-hunt, " I have been." 

 The chase being over, we returned in triumph to our encamp- 

 ment, and were followed by the spoils of the morning, and by an 

 accumulating multitude of the peasants from the circumjacent 

 villages, who pressed round an open tent in which we sat at break- 

 fast, with gralulations, blessings, and thanksgiving. The four 

 tigers were laid in front; the natives viewed them with terror, and 

 some with tears. There was a very affecting incident, which so 

 fastened upon Zoffani's imagination, and so touched his heart, that 



