88 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
himself before the emperor,, said firmly, “ To attack 
an unarmed creature with weapons is neither fair nor 
manly. The Deity has given limbs and sinews to 
man as well as to tigers, and has imparted reason to 
the former in order to countervail the deficiency of 
strength.” 
The omrahs declined such a perilous contest, when 
the bold warrior, to the emperor s surprise and delight, 
instantly cast aside his weapon and his shield and 
prepared to engage the tiger unarmed. The encounter 
is described with the most appalling minuteness by 
the Mogul historians. After a desperate conflict, and 
mangled by terrific wounds, the heroic Afkun forced 
his arm down the throat of his adversary, grasped 
him firmly by the root of the tongue and finally 
strangled him. Thus were the secret expectations of 
Jehangire defeated, and the fame of this extraordinary 
exploit resounded through the empire. 
Shere had scarcely recovered, when private orders 
were given to the driver of a large elephant to way- 
lay him and tread him to death. He saw the elephant 
approach ; the street was narrow and there were no 
means of escape. Perceiving his danger, he ordered his 
bearers to turn, but they threw down the palankeen 
and fled. The Turkoman undismayed sprang instantly 
upon his feet, drew his sword, and before the elephant 
could accomplish its fatal purpose, severed its trunk 
close to the root. The huge animal immediately 
dropped and expired. Jehangire witnessed the action. 
He had placed himself at a small lattice that overlooked 
the street. He was perfectly amazed, but disappoint- 
ment and vexation banished from his bosom the better 
