94 



which was somewhat more open, and consequently more favour- 

 able to the use of our arms, I advanced within a very few paces, 

 and lodged a brace of balls in his heart. 



" My fire was seconded by a volley from the other musketeers; 

 and the noise of their pieces was succeeded by something, which 

 could neither be styled roaring nor groaning, but a frightful mix- 

 ture of both. Not knowing that our balls had effectually re- 

 moved eveiy cause of apprehension, and that this vociferation was 

 the symptom of expiration, I concluded that the creature was now 

 thoroughly enraged, and meditating vengeance; with this idea, I 

 quitted my piece, and betook myself to my sabre; but afler a 

 short pause, observing the rustling in the thicket to cease, and 

 the vociferation to grow fainter, I advanced to the spot where the 

 animal lay; and one of my people having laid open three of his 

 ribs by the stroke of a sword, I with another nearly severed his 

 head from his body: and then dragging him from his retreat, I 

 hauled him, amidst the acclamations and congratulations of the 

 villagers, to my tents, where I arrived at noon, having spent six 

 hours in rousing, pursuing, and killing our game; which in that 

 interval had received three balls, exclusive of the wound inflicted 

 on the preceding night. 



" This beast was called by the country people oontia-baug, or 

 camel-tiger, and is by them esteemed to be the firercest and most 

 powerful of that race. His colour was that of a camel, verging to 

 yellow, but without spots or stripes; not high in stature, but 

 powerfully massive, with a head and foreparts of admirable size 

 and strength. He was killed near the village of Coora, on the 

 banks of the Saberrnatty, fifteen coss from Cambay. 



