At last it reached the spot at which they had first seen it.

The child's cry, but this time low and querulous, again rose.
With quicker steps than before it moved on, but still not directly towards the center, to the great relief of the two subalterns, who had feared that it might attack from such a direction that they would not dare to fire for fear of hitting the cage.

Fortunately it passed that point, and, crouching, moved towards the bushes.
Wilson and Richards had their rifles now at their shoulders, but, in the feeble and uncertain light, felt by no means sure of hitting their mark, though it was but some thirty yards away.

Almost breathlessly they listened for the Doctor's rifle, but both started when the flash and sharp crack broke on the stillness.

There was a sudden snarl of pain, the tiger gave a spring in the air, and then fell, rolling over and over.
"It is not killed!" the shikari exclaimed.