to reload, while I take the
opposite direction, so as to distract his attention. We shall thus
master him, depend on it."

As Burnett finished speaking he fired. The dull thud as the bullet
entered the body of the gyal could be heard; but the creature,
apparently not feeling his wound, came rushing with a loud bellow at the
horsemen. Reginald delivered his fire, as he had been advised, but
without stopping the bull; and then he and Burnett galloped off in
opposite directions. The gyal followed the latter, making the very
ground shake as he rushed bellowing along in chase of the huntsman, whom
he might have tossed, with his steed, into the air, had he overtaken
them. Burnett, however, was too practised a sportsman to be thus
caught, and, dodging behind the trees till he could reload, was soon
again ready to face his foe. Reginald, meanwhile, having discovered
that the gyal was not following him, pulled up under a tree to reload.
As he was ramming down the charge, his horse started, and the next
moment a huge tiger, springing out of the jungle, fixed its jaws on the
flank of the poor steed, which it brought to the ground, providentially
failing to strike Reginald with its claws. His first impulse was to try
and extricate himself from beneath his fallen horse, so that he might
have a chance of defending himself; but as he was endeavouring to do so,
the tiger, loosening its hold of the horse, sprang open-mouthed at him.
At that moment he heard a shot, and the next the sound of a horse's
hoofs approaching him; but though help was coming, it would have been
too late had he not, with wonderful presence of mind, rammed the butt of
his rifle down the throat of his savage assailant. It merely served to
check the brute for an instant; still, that instant was of the greatest
value. Though Burnett came galloping up, he was afraid of firing lest
he should hit his friend instead of the tiger; but unexpected assistance
now arrived. A loud roar sounded through the forest, and another tiger,
springing on the neck of the one attacking Reginald, dragged it away
from him, and pinned it to the ground. The newcomer was Faithful.
Nobly she fought for her master, and victory soon declared in her
favour.

Reginald, getting on his feet, held the horse of his friend, who, taking
a steady aim, sent a shot through the brains of Faithful's antagonist.
Reginald patted his pet on the head, and tried to make her understand
how grateful he f