146 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
over it in order to promote the elasticity of his limbs. 
He raised his arm for several moments above his head 
when he made the motion to admit his enemy into the 
area. The bars of a large cage were instantly lifted 
from above ; a huge royal tiger sprang forward and 
stood before the Coorg, waving its tail slowly back- 
ward and forward,, erecting the hair upon it, and 
uttering a suppressed howl. The animal first looked 
at the man,, then at the gallery where the Rajah and 
his court were seated to see the sports, but did not 
appear at all easy in its present state of freedom : — 
it was evidently confounded at the novelty of its posi- 
tion. After a short survey, it turned suddenly round, 
and bounded into its cage, from which the keepers, 
who stood above, beyond the reach of mischief, tried 
to force it, but in vain. The bars were then dropped, 
and several crackers fastened to its tail, which project- 
ed through one of the intervals. 
A lighted match was put into the hand of the 
Coorg ; the bars were again raised, and the crackers 
ignited. The tiger now darted into the arena with a 
terrific yell ; and while the crackers were exploding, 
it leaped, turned, and writhed as if in a state of 
frantic excitement. It at length crouched in a cor- 
ner, gnarling as a cat does when alarmed. Mean- 
while its retreat had been cut off by securing the 
cage. During the explosion of the crackers, the Coorg 
stood watching his enemy, and at length advanced to- 
wards it with a slow but firm step. The tiger roused 
itself and retreated, the fur on its back being erect, 
and its tail apparently dilated to twice the usual size. 
It was not at all disposed to commence hostilities; 
