he carried. A full mile was passed before
the path became so dense as to cause delay, and the track was quite
clear. Here and there branches showed a lock of the woman's hair, where
her head had come in contact with some thorny bushes in passing. Once
the tiger had evidently laid the body down, and here were finger-marks
in the soil, showing that life still existed in the poor victim.

The slight clothing she wore had been found at the commencement of the
trail, where a disturbance of the ground indicated some sort of
struggle. At the end of the second mile the tracks grew every moment
more distinct, and the party moved with increased caution. An
experienced beater was now sent in advance with only his broad,
unsheathed knife for self-protection. Stillness reigned for some time,
as the party thus advanced. The animal had scented danger, and, contrary
to the usual habits of these creatures on such occasions, instead of
retreating farther into the jungle, he came boldly towards the attacking
party. Had this been anticipated, greater caution would have been
observed. Suddenly there came a crashing sound, and a scream rang
through the jungle. The head beater was borne to the ground by the whole
weight of the tiger, who had sprung upon him. The man had stood at the
moment in a partial opening, so that man and beast were now in full
sight. One of the hunters instantly leveled his rifle, and with
deliberate aim sent a ball through the tiger's brain, causing him to
straighten out at once, quite dead.

The man was stunned and severely wounded, but he was not bitten, and
was able to struggle to his feet, pointing exultingly to the knife,
showing that he had buried the blade to the hilt in the tiger's chest,
notwithstanding the suddenness of the attack. The natives generally are
poor hunters, lacking courage and coolness, both of which qualities this
man clearly evinced. A hundred yards further into the jungle from the
spot where this struggle took place was found the monster's lair. It was
a small open space, surrounded by a thick undergrowth, whither he had
brought his victims, fully three miles from the nearest village. Only
the bones of the poor woman were found; what the tiger had not eaten
other beasts and birds had consumed. Heaps of bones testified to the
havoc the animal had made. A number of bangles, arm-rings, nose and ear
ornaments, were picked up, such as only women wear, showing that a
number of his victims had bee