full speed before he could catch hold of the
rein. Having recovered the spearhead, he sprang after the animal,
hoping to catch it before it had got far. He continued on for several
minutes, keeping the steed in view, in spite of the obstructions in his
way, when he caught sight of the tents, near which he had no doubt he
should find the rest of the party; and thinking it probable the instinct
of his horse would lead it towards its companions. Considering,
therefore, that it was useless to exert himself further, he was walking
leisurely on, when, to his horror, he saw a huge tiger in the act of
springing at him from the jungle. He had just time to shout at the top
of his voice, in the hope of attracting the attention of any of his
companions who might be near, and to grasp the broken end of his spear,
when, as he instinctively leaped on one side to avoid the first spring
of the tiger, his foot slipped and he fell on his back, holding the
spear in a perpendicular position, with the point upwards. The savage
animal came directly down upon him, with its huge jaws open to seize him
by the neck; but as it did so, the point of the spear entering at its
chest made it again attempt to bound backwards. Still one blow of its
mighty paw, in its death-struggle, might, Reginald knew, break a limb or
inflict a mortal injury; so again he shouted out, while he endeavoured
to drag himself from under the savage animal, which still retained life
sufficient to destroy him. He had now cause to regret that he had not
brought Faithful, who would undoubtedly have fought bravely in his
defence, and might have prevented the tiger from springing on him.
Retaining his presence of mind, he kept the spear in a perpendicular
position, hoping that it would soon find its way to the heart of his
assailant. Still the tiger struggled more to escape than to attack him,
when suddenly there came the sound of a shot, and the creature rolled
over dead with a rifle-ball in its head. On looking up, he saw Burnett
hurrying towards him.

His friend now assisted him to rise; and though his clothes were torn
and his flesh deeply scarred with the claws of the animal, he found that
he had received no material injury. He and Burnett soon reached the
camp, where the khan and their other companions, with apparent
cordiality, congratulated him on his escape.

"Knowing the courage of you Englishmen, I am sure that your adventure
will not induce you to abandon th