TEIE ROYAL TIGER OF BENGAL. 89 



we got the three tigers, to try that part of it 

 that was left unbeaten yesterday. "We were again 

 fortunate, for we found a magnificent tigress with 

 two half-grown cubs, only a little beyond the place 

 where yesterday we left off beating. We started 

 her in the nurkool. She cantered on with the cubs 

 into a broad open space covered with long grass 

 on dry ground, and there came to bay. It was a 

 beautiful sight to see her charging out at the line 

 of elephants, whilst the cubs were running about in 

 different directions, and each time being received and 

 turned by a volley from the howdahs. At last 

 she ceased to charge, but we saw the grass moving 

 and heard her growling. We went up to the spot, 

 and another barrel or two made her ours. 



" In the meantime some of us went after the cubs, 

 who were charging here and there in the grass, 

 evidently in great fear and anxiety about their 

 mother. They ran the gauntlet of some dozens of 

 shots, and one got away into the forest badly 

 wounded and bleeding at the mouth. As I was 

 following him I came upon the other, who charged 

 like a full-grown tiger; I pointed my gun down- 

 wards, and sent a bullet , through his chest as 

 he was grasping the elephant round the leg. This 

 gave hina his quietus, and I followed the other 

 cub that had disappeared in the forest. I could not 

 overtake him, and returned to the spot where the 

 tigtess was being pajdded. She was a beautifjil 

 creature, light, lean, active, and vicious, and seemed 



