However, I did not hesitate more than a couple of seconds; I pointed my gun at his heart just behind the shoulder, and pulled the trigger.

The whole charge went straight where I pointed it, and the tiger rolled over on his back.

I put a ball into my gun and approached him very gingerly.

When I got close to him I found he hadn't a kick in him.

His claws were crunched up as if grasping something, his grand eyes were growing dim, and though, to make all sure, I fired a ball into his head, it was not necessary, as I found nine buckshot in the heart.