the blood was seen streaming, as if a vein had been opened by a lancet.  The furious animal missed the throat and jugular vein; but the horse was so dreadfully torn, that he was not at first expected to survive.  The expressions of agony, in his tears and moans, were most piteous and affecting.  Whether the lioness was afraid of her prey being taken from her, or from some other cause, she continued a considerable time after she had entered the hovel, roaring in a dreadful manner, so loud, indeed, that she was distinctly heard at the distance of half a mile.  She was eventually secured and led back in triumph to her cell.”

“It was fortunate that it did not attack the passengers, Uncle Thomas.”

“Very much so, indeed; it might have turned out a very serious affair, Frank.”

CHAPTER VI.

Uncle Thomas tells about the Tiger; its Ferocity and Power; and of the Curious Modes which are adopted for its Capture and Destruction.—­Also about the Puma or American Lion, and introduces some Hunting Scenes in North and South America, with other Interesting and Entertaining Adventures.

“Long as the stories were, Boys, which I told you last night about the lion, I have not yet quite done with the animals of the cat kind; there are still one or two stories about the tiger and the puma or American lion, which I wish to tell you of, if you do not think we have already had enough of them.”

“Oh, no, Uncle Thomas, pray do continue.”

“Very well, I will first tell you about the tiger.

“The tiger, which inhabits the rich jungles of India, nearly equals the lion in strength, and perhaps excels him in activity and ferocity.  A very affecting instance of his ferocity, by which a fine young man, the only son of Sir Hector Munro, lost his life, is thus related by one of the party: 

“Yesterday morning, Captain George Downey, Lieutenant Pyefinch, poor Mr. Munro (of the Honourable East India Company’s service), and myself (Captain Consar), went on shore, on Saugur Island, to shoot deer.  We saw innumerable tracks of tigers and deer; but still we were induced to pursue our sport; and did so the whole day.  About half past three, we sat down on the edge of the jungle, to eat some cold meat, sent to us from the ship, and had just commenced our meal, when Mr. Pyefinch and a black servant told us there was a fine deer within six yards of us.  Captain Downey and I immediately jumped up, to take our guns; mine was nearest, and I had but just laid hold of it, when I heard a roar like thunder, and saw an immense royal tiger spring on the unfortunate Munro, who was sitting down; in a moment his head was in the beast’s mouth, and he rushed into the jungle with him, with as much ease as I could lift a kitten, tearing him through the thickest bushes and trees, every thing yielding to his monstrous strength.  The agonies of horror, regret, and, I must say, fear