But as the beast struck the earth, another gun was discharged directly over the shoulder of Luchman, so that the smoke from the muzzle dimmed his vision. He supposed it was a pistol fired by Dr. Avery; but it could not have been that, for it killed the tiger.
The beast essayed a third leap, but it was more of a convulsion of his entire body. He threw himself to one side and then rolled among the undergrowth of the jungle, where he clawed and tore the vegetation during his brief but furious death struggle.
Luchman was quick to observe that the danger was ended, and he glanced around to see who had befriended him.
A stranger stood at his elbow, a large brawny man, dressed like an English sportsman. He wore a short cutaway coat, helmet hat and high cavalry boots; he had a full beard, yellow of color like his hair, and evidently was the possessor of great coolness, presence of mind and activity.
He held his rifle, which he had just discharged, in his hand, and his whole appearance was prepossessing. Had he looked one tenth as pleasing he would have been beautiful in the eyes of those whom he had befriended.
"My gracious!" he exclaimed in his hearty, off hand way, "it appears that I have dropped down at the right time. I hope," he added, turning toward Luchman, "that the beast didn't harm you."
"No, sahib," was the reply of the guide, who surveyed him with no little curiosity; "I give you my thanks for killing him before he killed me."
"That's the proper order, otherwise if the tiger gets in his work first the second part of the programme may miscarry. He's a splendid fellow, the biggest I have shot since I was in India. I beg pardon, I observe ladies."
Standing where the bright moonlight fell upon his fine figure, he doffed his hat and bowed, adding: "My name is George Harkins, lately from London; I left Calcutta last March for a little shooting up country, and have found considerably more than I expected. I trust you are all well."
There was no resisting the magnetic good nature of the man who had so commended himself to their favor, and there was a general hand shaking all round. He laughed and made light of the service he had rendered, saying he was fond of tiger hunting and was especially pleased when he was able to pick off a burra bagh (man eater), which no doubt the tiger was, judging from his size and ferocity.