by the royal beast himself, and, for a few
seconds, they gazed on each other. But Arthur's presence of mind on such
occasions never deserted him. Instantly bringing to his shoulder the
rifle that lay handy by his side, and without moving his position, he
covered and took deliberate aim at his--to say the least of it--just
then unwelcome visitor. Until the cocking of the rifle, the enormous
brute seemed undecided as to what course to pursue. But no sooner did
this sound reach the tiger, than his long tail began to sway slowly
backwards and forwards two or three times; and, with a low growl, fierce
and deep, settled himself gradually back on his haunches, preparatory to
making that spring which this class of animals are so famous for, and
which in many instances prove so fatal to those who pursue or oppose
them. But Arthur was a cool and energetic hunter, and had scoured the
jungles for weeks together, and had brought in more trophies of his
skill, as a Shirkarree, than any other man in the regiment, and ere the
spring could be completed, for the animal had risen in the air, Arthur
had planted a brace of bullets in the chest of the monster, literally
cracking, in their progress, the heart of the tiger, who fell forward
stone dead within six feet of where our hero was seated. His practical
eye in an instant convinced him that no danger was to be apprehended
from his late foe, and without changing his attitude, resumed the pipe,
he had let fall from his lips prior to firing, and, as unconcerned as
though nothing of moment had taken place, commenced carefully to reload
his rifle. While thus engaged, the crushing among the branches of the
jungle trees, and the cracking of the withered stocks and leaves again
attracted his attention; and presently some half dozen horsemen cleared
the adjacent bushes and reined up suddenly on the brink of the little
brook before alluded to, with surprise and astonishment depicted on
their glowing and excited features, as they gazed on the scene, thus
unexpectedly presented to their view.

"By Jove! did I not know that Arthur Carlton was hundreds of miles away
up in the North-West, I could swear that was he," pointing to the figure
of Carlton seated at the foot of the tree, exclaimed the foremost
rider, as he with difficulty curbed in his impatient steed.

"And who else but the Burra Shirkarree, the Carlton Sahib, would you
expect to find within a couple of yards of the carcass of a lord of the