made a leap for the branch, the elephant forging madly ahead; and the howdah, being smashed like match-wood, fell on the tiger below, who was tearing and clawing at everything within his reach.  Poor Aubert got hold of the branch with his hands, and clung with all the desperation of one fighting for his life.  He was right above the wounded tiger, but his grasp on the tree was not a firm one.  For a moment he hung suspended above the furious animal, which, mad with agony and fury, was a picture of demoniac rage.  The poor fellow could hold no longer, and fell right on the tiger.  It was nearly at its last gasp, but it caught hold of Aubert by the foot, and in a final paroxysm of pain and rage chawed the foot clean off, and the poor fellow died next day from the shock and loss of blood.  He was one of four brothers who all met untimely deaths from accidents.  This one was killed by the tiger, another was thrown from a vehicle and killed on the spot, the third was drowned, and the fourth shot by accident.

Our bag to-day was one tiger, one florican, one mallard, and two widgeon.  On cutting the tiger open, we found that the bullet had entered on the left side, and, as we suspected, had entered the lungs.  It had, however, made a terrible wound.  We found that it had penetrated the heart and liver, gone forward through the chest, and smashed the right shoulder.  Notwithstanding this fearful wound, shewing the tremendous effects of the Express bullet, the tiger had gone on for the distance I have mentioned, after which it must have fallen stone-dead.  It was a marvellous instance of vitality, even after the heart, liver, and lungs had been pierced.  The liver had six lobes, and it was then I heard for the first time, that with the natives this was an infallible sign of the age of a tiger.  The old Major firmly believed it, and told us it was quite an accepted article of faith with all native sportsmen.  Facts subsequently came under my own observation which seemed to give great probability to the theory, but it is one on which I would not like to give a decided opinion, till after hearing the experiences of other sportsmen.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Camp of the Nepaulee chief.—­Quicksands.—­Elephants crossing rivers.  —­Tiffin at the Nepaulee camp.—­We beat the forest for tiger.—­Shoot a young tiger.—­Red ants in the forest.—­Bhowras or ground bees.—­The ursus labialis or long-lipped bear.—­Recross the stream.—­Florican.  —­Stag running the gauntlet of flame.—­Our bag.—­Start for factory.  —­Remarks on elephants.—­Precautions useful for protection from the sun in tiger shooting.—­The puggree.—­Cattle breeding in India, and wholesale deaths of cattle from disease.—­Nathpore.—­Ravages of the river.—­Mrs. Gray, an old resident in the jungles.—­Description of her surroundings.