TIGER. 345, , 
• 
ing ease as to appear scarce an impediment to the 
animal's flight. It is affirmed, that if the Tiger 
happens to miss his aim^ he does not pursue his 
prey, but, as if ashamed of his disappointment, 
runs off. In the beginning of the present cen- 
tury (says Mr. Pennant), a company, seated un- 
der the shade of some trees, near the banks of a 
river in Bengal, were surprised by the unexpected 
sight of a Tiger preparing for its fatal spring; 
when a lady, with almost unexampled presence 
of mind, furled a large umbrella in the animals 
face, which instantly retired, and thus gave 
an opportunity of escaping from so terrible a 
neighbour. Another party had not the same 
good fortune, but in the height of their entertain- 
ment lost, in an instant, one of their companions, 
who was seized and carried off by a Tiger. But 
the fatal accident which so lately occurred in the 
East Indies must be still fresh in the memory of 
all who read the dreadful description given by an 
eye-witness of the scene. We went (says the 
narrator) on shore on San gar island, to shoot 
deer, of which we saw innumerable tracks, as well 
as of Tigers; notwithstanding which, we con- 
tinued our diversion till near three o'clock, when, 
sitting down by the side of a jungle to refresh our- 
selves, a roar like thunder was heard, and an im- 
mense Tiger seized on our unfortunate friend*, and 
rushed again into the jungle, dragging him through 
* Mr. Monro, son of Sir Hector Monro, bart. This fatal event 
took place in the year 179a, 
V. I. P. II. 23 
