tiger gave no signs of life when the
bombardment of the jungle with fireworks recommenced, he would go in
and look for his body.

Chapter 17: The Capture Of Gheriah.

After having sat for an hour under the shade of some trees, and
partaken of luncheon, the party again moved forward on their elephants
to the jungle. The watchers declared that no sound, whatever, had been
heard during their absence; nor did the discharge of fireworks, which
at once recommenced, elicit the slightest response.

After this had gone on for half an hour, Charlie, convinced that the
animal was dead, dismounted from his elephant. He had with him a
heavy, double-barrelled rifle of the rajah's; and Hossein, carrying a
similar weapon, and a curved tulwar which was sharpened almost to a
razor edge, prepared to follow immediately behind him. Three or four
of the most courageous shikaris, with cocked guns, followed in
Hossein's steps.

Holding his gun advanced before him, in readiness to fire instantly,
Charlie entered the jungle at the point where the tiger had retreated
into it. Drops of blood spotted the grass, and the bent and twisted
brushwood showed the path that the tiger had taken. Charlie moved as
noiselessly as possible. The path led straight forward, towards the
rocks behind, but it was not until within four or five yards of this
that any sign of the tiger could be seen.

Then the bushes were burst asunder, and the great yellow body hurled
itself forward upon Charlie. The attack was so sudden and
instantaneous that the latter had not even time to raise his rifle to
his shoulder. Almost instinctively, however, he discharged both of the
barrels; but was, at the same moment, hurled to the ground, where he
lay crushed down by the weight of the tiger, whose hot breath he could
feel on his face. He closed his eyes, only to open them again at the
sound of a heavy blow, while a deluge of hot blood flowed over him. He
heard Hossein's voice, and then became insensible. When he recovered,
he found himself lying with his head supported by Hossein, outside the
jungle.

"Is he dead?" he asked faintly.

"He is dead, Sahib," Hossein replied. "Let the Sahib drink some
brandy, and he will be strong again."

Charlie drank some brandy and water, which Hossein held to his lips.
Then the latter raised him to his feet.

Charlie felt his limbs and his ribs. He was bruised all over, but
otherwise unhurt, the blood which covered him having flowed