The mother returned, and, to her horror and bewilderment, saw this huge tiger, with her darling child fast asleep, its head resting on the belly of the animal.  She was for a moment paralysed with fear, and was unable to utter a single cry, but, recovering herself, she ran and gave the alarm.  No time was lost in communicating with the officials, and very soon hunters and men skilled in pursuit of wild animals were on the spot; but the comparatively short time that elapsed was to the poor mother, who saw the child of her affection, beaming with health, in the power of the monster.

The huntsmen viewed the great beast, but they were at a loss what to do; for the chief said, that if they shot him, even in the most vital part, he would most likely, in his death-struggle, kill the child.  After some consultation, they procured a hook, fixed it firmly at the end of a long rod, and then took hold of the child’s dress and pulled it by the hook gently towards them.  The movement roused the tiger, who caught the rod in his mouth and broke it, as though desirous to retain the child.  The child woke and cried, but the tiger licked him, and whilst so engaged the men managed to get partly over him the iron network (used, as I have described, to secure wild beasts), so as to disable him, and to get the child away.  When the beast saw the child removed he uttered a piercing howl, such as had never been heard before, and, strange to say, the child was also grieved to leave the tiger, or, to use his own words, the “large beautiful cat.”

The animal having been killed, the skin was dressed and presented to the mother of the child.

THE UNICORN.

There exists an animal in my planet like your heraldic unicorn.  He is very graceful, but very ferocious, not heeding kindness, whilst harshness increases his ferocity.

One mode of taming him for a time was discovered—­namely, to feed him with oranges!  I saw one who, a few minutes previously had been dashing about with restless fury, and who, after eating some oranges, lay down quietly, and even licked the hand of the keeper who had fed him with the fruit.

Particular hurricanes bring swarms of insects, which never come near the unicorn; they seem to have a great antipathy to him.

XLVII.

THE SUN.

THE ELECTRIC STAR-INSTRUMENT.

“The infinity of the universe of worlds is but a faint reflection of the Infinite Power that created them.  By His will they were called into existence.  By His will they, and all that they contain, could be swept away in an instant!”

     “Not even in thought can ye grasp the boundlessness of His works. 
     How then can ye measure the infinite might of their Creator?”