Several other shots were fired without effect, and the hunters came to the conclusion that there was no tiger in the cave.
OUT OF THE CAVE SPRANG AN ENORMOUS TIGER.
However, they consented to let the natives try a plan that they suggested. This was to smoke the tiger out of his hole. So great quantities of dried leaves and twigs were collected, and thrust into the mouth of the cave. While this work was going on, the men were very enthusiastic about it, and ran up with their arms full of leaves and sticks, seeming to entirely forget what a predicament they would be in if a tiger should be within, and if he should make up his mind to come out before they had finished their job.
When all was ready the dry stuff was fired, and very soon a great smoke arose, and as the wind blew towards the rocks, most of the smoke went into the cave.
In about three minutes a horrid growl was heard, and every darkey took to his heels, one of them making about five jumps towards a distant tree, up which he climbed like a monkey.
And they were none too quick. Out of the cave sprang an enormous tiger.
The two white men had their rifles to their shoulders in an instant, and they fired almost simultaneously. The tiger did not stop, however, but rushed on, apparently after one of the natives. But before he reached him the Colonel fired the second barrel of his rifle, and rolled the beast over. One or two more shots finished him.
This hunt was considered a great success, for the tiger was a very large one, and was no doubt, the murderer of the bullocks. The natives were delighted, and went to work to take off the skin, which was awarded to our Colonel, who had fired the decisive shot.
While in the cave the tiger had probably been lying behind some rocks, with only part of his head exposed. He had not cared to leave his entrenchments while they were firing at him, but he evidently did not like smoke.