288 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
upon which I was standing. My uneasiness was con- 
siderable at seeing myself within reach of a creature 
whose powers of mischief are so formidable, and 
whose method of destruction is so summary. I was 
quite alone, but my gun was, at least, a probable 
protection. To my great gratification, the tiger pass- 
ed on its way without attempting to molest me. 
The jungle through which it advanced was com- 
paratively thin, so that I did not lose sight of the 
beautiful beast when it entered the thicket. The 
moment it crossed my path all sense of danger ap- 
peared to subside within me, and impelled by an 
impulse, as unaccountable as it was irresistible, I 
levelled my gun and fired. The ball told upon the 
tiger s hind-leg, which I could instantly perceive was 
broken; but the enraged animal, uttering an appal- 
ling yell, rushed from the thicket, and came bounding 
before me upon three legs with a restrained and un- 
natural motion, yet evincing a determination of re- 
venge as difficult to avoid as it was imminent and 
menacing. I had no power of destroying my angry 
foe, as I had but one barrel loaded, and that was with 
common shot. There was no time to lose, for the 
creature was within a few yards of me ; I therefore 
raised the gun to my shoulder, and knowing the tiger 
could not spring, allowed it to approach within six 
yards from where I stood, when I fired at its head, in 
the hope of blinding it. My fire made a signal im- 
pression, for the agonized beast rolled upon its back, 
yelling as if in dreadful agony. Meanwhile, seeing 
that it was still full of sturdy life, I threw my 
gun upon the ground near me, and climbing a tree, 
