Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-06
NY WeAdmnAmmlHeHhaAK 4

the shade; and as it passed across more
open space, saw il was a tiger sneaking along,
with the head and body low. It's whole back,
from the snout to the setting on Of the tail,
appeared to form straight line, the lat
tel. appendage being carried in dropping po-
sition.
His rifle was instantly brought to bear,
and he let drive both barrels in rapid sue
cession, rolling the tiger over but it imme-
diatey recovered itself; sprang up roaring
its adversary on the roclS-faced bank above.
came bounding toward him over the bould-
ers and stones at the foot of the low cliff
on which Hawkes. stood.
The hunter seized his second gun, and pour
ed in its contents as the tiger came on. but
without the effect of stopping its headlong
charge.
The beast reached the base of the rocky
height, and, making desperate spring, man
aged to gain hold with its fore-paws on
the top; but the fiat and slippery face pre-
sented nothing on which to fix its hind feet,
or give it purchase to assist in dragging itself
bodily to the top.
As Hawkes. turned to seize his third gun
from the attendant, he perceived that indiyi-
| dual some distance in the rear, racing with
| full speed on toward the nearest tree.
1t was too late for him to follow suit; re-
treat was now out of the question. So he
force on the head of the tiger as it rested
| snarling between its paws within a few feet
| of the striker.
The beast WINGED. but did not let go its
hold Indeed, it appeared to redouble its
| efforts to effect lodgment.
The stock flew into sphnters as it came in
contact with the hard skull of the tiger; but
| Hawkes.. continued to belabor him with the
barrels. He laid on with WILL but the
result was yet doubtful. Despite the desper-
and had it not been weakened by its wounds,
would probably have made good its object.
All this time it had been growing, with
rage depicted in every line of its counte-
nance. Suddenly it emitted short, low roar,
quver seemed to run through it, its jaws
| relaxed, its eyes lost their fire, its hold of
! the rock gave way, and it fell back crashing
among the boulders of rock and bushes into
the nullah below, distant rifle crack accom-
panying its downfall.
"Hurrah!" Hawkes. shouted, in mad excite
ment, brandishing his gun-barrels. "Hurrahl
He's done for'
"Run Get into tree!" shouted Norman.
from the other side of the nullah in eager
anxious tones. "He may get up, and be at
you again by some path
"No, no; it's ell right He's deadl"
And Hawkes. continued to make excited de-
monstrations as he stood on the rock and
looked over.
"Get back, man! get back! Are you mad %
Norman again shouted, with much anxiety.
Perhaps he's only stunned. l can't answer
for hitting him again. Run off, confound
''It's all serene, old fellow" was the re-
ply. 81 see him lying quite still, and dead
as door nail. There he is, under the tree!"
"Ah, / see him. calculated Norman.
And again the rifle spoke. But this time
there was responsive roar.
Dead, l believe" he said "Quick there,
gun nbearer; the other gun'
And he seized his second gun from the man,
who came running up.
1t now occurred TO Hawkes. that he too,
might as well provide himself with another
weapon. So while Norman was reloading his
rife, with his gun lying cooked before him all
ready for use, in case the tiger showed any
signs of life, he looked about for his attend
ant.
'If you have quite recovered from your
mad fit of dancing and howling," said Nor
man, 81 recommend you, Hawkes., to get hold
of another gun, and we can then go down
to the beast"
y This Hawkes. was soon able to do, for the
. gun-bearer, seeing that the danger was past
descended from his perch in a neighborine
tree, and approached his master with consd
: erable misgivngs as to the nature of his re
+ ception.
:. Hawkes. took his gun, and both the sports
4 men descended, each from his side, to The
q prostrate tiger, which they found lying quite
= dead.
g CHAPTER III.