VI 
THE TIGER 
243 
natives among the branches in all directions as they 
were perched for safety in the tree-tops, to which 
they had climbed like monkeys at the terrible 
sounds of danger. “Where is the tiger?” we 
shouted to the first man we could distinguish in this 
safe retreat only a few yards distant. “Here, 
here! ” replied the man, pointing immediately 
beneath him. Almost at the same instant, with 
a loud roar, the tiger, which had been lying ready 
for attack, sprang forward directly for Moolah Bux. 
There were so many trees intervening that I 
could not fire, and the elephant, instead of halting, 
moved forward, meeting the tiger in its spring. 
With a swing of his huge head Moolah Bux broke 
down several tall saplings, which crashed towards 
the infuriated tiger and checked the onset; whether 
the animal was touched by the elephant s tusks I 
could not determine, but it appeared to be within 
striking distance when the trees were broken across 
its path. Discomfited for the moment, the tiger 
bounded in retreat, and Moolah Bux stood suddenly 
like a rock, without the slightest movement. This 
gave me a splendid opportunity, and the *577 bullet 
rolled the enemy over like a rabbit. Almost at the 
same instant, having performed a somersault, the 
tiger disappeared, and fell struggling among the 
high grass and bushes about 15 paces distant. 
I now urged Moolah Bux carefully forward until 
I could plainly see the tiger’s shoulders, and a second 
shot through the exact centre of the blade-bone 
terminated its existence. 
