VI 
THE TIGER 
203 
actually before them. I ordered them to keep 
within a yard of each other, to make it impossible 
for the tiger to slink back by penetrating the line. 
Several times as we advanced in this close order the 
animal was evidently within a few feet of us, as 
certain elephants endeavoured to turn back, while 
others desired to dash forward upon the unseen 
danger, which all keenly smelt. At last, when 
several elephants trumpeted and made a sudden 
rush, a shot was fired from the gun upon the left 
flank, stationed upon the open ground slightly above 
the hollow. The line halted for an explanation, and 
it appeared that the Rajah had fired, as the tiger for 
an instant showed itself upon the edge of the 
tamarisk jungle. 
We now continued the advance; the tiger had 
not spoken to the shot, therefore we considered that 
it was without effect, and I felt sure that in such 
compact order we should either trample upon it or 
push it out at the extremity of the covert. 
At length, having carefully beaten out the 
tamarisk, which had now been almost destroyed by 
the tread of so close a line of elephants, we emerged 
at the extreme end of the hollow, where, instead 
of tamarisk, a dense patch of withered reeds much 
higher than an elephant were mingled in a confused 
growth, occupying an area of hardly 10 yards 
square. I felt sure that the tiger must have 
crouched for concealment in this spot. 
Suchi Khan had brought his elephant upon the 
left, another gun was on the right, and a third in 
