"I heard nothing more of him, till just before leaving England, when my old school-fellow, Lockhart, who went as a cadet to the East, called on me--reminded me of our old whimsical friend--and related his tragic death. "Lockhart says that one day he and some mutual friends, persuaded Featherstone to accompany them into the interior of the country, to enjoy the diversion of a boar hunt. "They had had good sport, and were returning homewards, when they suddenly came on a party of natives, headed by the Rajah. "They were mounted on elephants, and surrounding a jungle, in which, as some sepoys had reported, lay a tiger. "You know Lockhart's manner--animated and enthusiastic--making one see the scene he is describing. "I will try and clothe the rest of the story in his own words, although I can hardly hope it will make the same impression on you, that its recital did on me. "'Well, Sir! we all said we would see the sport--all but Featherstone--who said something about coming on. "'We were engaged to dine with Sir John M----, who was in that part of the world, on some six-and-eightpenny mission about indigo. "'The beaters went in, firing and shouting--intending to make him break towards the hunting party. "'We all drew up on one side, to be in view, but out of the way; Featherstone was next me. He suddenly grasped my arm, and pointed to the jungle, his teeth chattering--his face ashy pale. I turned and saw the tiger!--a splendid beast--certainly! "'He seemed not to notice us, and stalked on with an innocent yep! yep! like a sick hound's, more than anything else. "'Suddenly his eye caught us, and flashed fire. At the first view, he crouched to the earth, then came on us, bounding like a tost foot-ball. More magnificent leaps I never beheld! We were struck dumb--but fired--and turned our horses' heads!--all but Featherstone. "'I shall remember the tones of his voice to my dying hour. "'"The cat! Lockhart! the cat!" "'I don't know whether his horse refused the spur--or whether the rider's nerve was gone: but neither appeared to make an effort, till the animal was close on them. "'The horse gave one plunge--and had hardly recovered his feet, when down went horse and rider. "'Featherstone gave a piercing scream! Some of the sepoys were by this time up--and fired. "'The tiger trailed off--the blood spouting down his striped side. "'We came up--it was all over! "'The first stroke of that terrific paw had laid the unfortunate man's scull bare. On his shoulder, were the marks of the animal's teeth. "'The horse was still writhing in agony. One of my pistols relieved him. "'We bore Featherstone to the nearest cantonment, and buried him there.'"