Pelts 



front of me was taboo. I don't think I ever felt 

 more chagrined in my Ufe than at that moment. 



We stood stock still and watched ' stripes.' He 

 came striding along with beautifully long un- 

 dulating strides, his head held erect, his long, 

 lithe body swinging lightly over the ground 

 beneath the free movements of his powerful legs, 



^ ^.X/'/fts/^^^ '->^ -■- M. I % ■■"^ 



A large tiger moving parallel to our direction. 



whilst his tail swung slowly from side to side. 

 On he came, looking enormous. Now he was 

 directly in front of us, and his head came round. 

 Had he seen us ? For a moment my fingers 

 gripped the rifle as in a steel vice, but he had not 

 seen us. I was in khaki, and resembled in colour 

 the surrounding grass, and the light was fading. 



The tiger continued on his way, and we slowly 

 followed him. Why, I know not, save that the 

 sight of him fascinated me. His movements 



247 



