The National tribune., 1899-08-31
such fanciful apprehensiveness, and OBJ
serve also how much in our tigers way it

such fanciful apprehensiveness, and OBJ
serve also how much in our tigers way it
| was.
The beaters poured down showers of
stones, and then climbed over themselves.
at which their game made off to gully
opening on the right into this main ravlne;
gliding noiselessly through leaty. coverts,
crawling over open spots. crossing rl1ts
with 1.-the and easy bounds.
Once in that Shadowy avenue he sought.
the fugitive might have evaded pursuit
within labyrinth of gulches to which 1t
led; but keen eyes We're watching, and at
the proper moment dry stick was sharply
snapped. Only one man perched in a tree
guarded this outlet. His arms consisted
of some twigS to break, and yet he alone
shut that road completely.
| NO. sambuhr nilghai, or wild hog made
J any such sound" thought the tiger; 1T was
done by a man. No doubt many more are
with him; armed also and presently will
come their volley. I'll go across to that
other gully on the opposite side"
So he went, and this place being wider.
| there stood two tall gray elephants with
| howdahs full of noisy natives who cursed
| abominably and threw earthenware bombs
that exploded like field-pieces.
Here evidently was no thoroughfare, and
he went on, to be foiled again and again,
getting more angry at every rebuff. Only
That route purposely left clear remained,
and though too astute not 10 entertain grave
doubts about its security, he took 1t, for the
beaters were closing in fast
Those who are not well acquainted with
tigers may fail to see why this one kept IN
these hollow ways when he could have
climbed the sides and gone off anywhere.
This, however, is the last thing any crea-
ture of this kind would do, and not because
of some self-deception, but for excellent
practical reasons. Outside those, gorges
there lay sun-scorclred plains where he
must have broken down very soon with
blistered feet-no tiger takes to the open
during hot weather unless in extremity.
Footsore and exhausted by heat and
thirst, of which latter the whole species are
very lntolerant, we could then have con-
verted our beat into drive. and overtaken
him on elephants without difficulty. 1t was
this principally which caused Bodice when
describing his whereabouts to say that
heaven had abandoned the beast. He
knew there was no hope Of escape from
such place, notwithstanding the amount
Of injury which might be inflicted upon his
enemies.
During the progress of these events our
quarry several times attempted to break
back; but i'll face of a line that stood firm,
this design was given up, and now the
tiger came on without further wavering
towards those sportsmen awaiting him.
We could not see all of what has been
related; yet experience, together with roars
and human OutcrleS, movements in various
directions, and the signals of lookouts,
made us fully acquainted with what was
going on.
Our line stretched across the ravine's
mouth, a distance of about 200 yards.
Trees were scattered over this space, and
some rocks rose up near its center. Clumps
OF brush also grew about, but for the most
part there was clear ground over which one
could get unobStructed rifle ranges in most
any direction.
Our shikaries had built machans or
shooting platforms among the boughs;
they were out of springing distance, and so
placed as to command good views, but very |
roughly constructed, and extremely un-
comfortable resting places. Moreover, in |
waiting under such an expectation as ours, |
time moves slowly, and it seemed long !
while before anything happened.
Then the tiger showed for moment far |
beams flashed off his glowing coat while |
from copse to copSe.
In short time the bushes parted there,
and that grim head looked out. With |
glasses we could see his glances sweep over
ahead; still they only took in
Unless attention is forcibly arrested, no
ion or tiger looks up; thus this beast failed !
10 detect its enemies.
There was much uncertainty about
shot at that distance, besides which we felt
sure the game would come nearer; therefore
kept quiet, waiting for events to
develop themselves, and presently he broke
,over again in style altogether unmatch-
able. - i''
No man could see, even with a glass, how
hat patch of Short, dry grass before him
vas crossed. Those Golors belonging to
he animal and his surroundings ran into
me another 50 as to obliterate distinguish
lble contrasts. The fiattened body creep
ng forward with inimitable feline skill,
rave an impression of something moving
md that was all. !
Evidently the intention of crossing and
,etting under banks overgrown with
,rush or trailing vines had possession of
he tigers mind at this time-he wanted to
leep in concealment SO long as it was pos
ible.
The whole species have well-founded
confidence in their power of making them
elves invisible. 1t is amazing to observe
low successfully they do SO, to learn by
experience how little will entirely hide an
!nimal of such large size. Frequently,
vhen line of beaters breaks up into squads,
n attempt to get through is made by crawl
ng or lying still until the men pass. This
anne thing takes place with parties
nounted on elephants.
In our hunt an end was shortly put to
ny further strategic proceedings by shot
nat slightly wounded the tiger. 1t put
i'm into one Of those demoniacal RACES