THE TRANSMIGRATIONS OF INDUR. 119

by a wild cat, who, after tormenting him for a time,
gave him a gripe, and put him out of his pain.

Krom one of the smallest and most defenceless of
animals, Indur found himself instantly changed into
a majestic Elephant, in a lofty forest in the isle of
Ceylon. lated with this wonderful advancement in
the scale of creation, he stalked along with conscious
dignity, and surveyed with pleasing wonder his own
form and the forms of his companions, together with
the rich scenery of the ever-verdant woods, which per-
fumed the air with their spicy odour, and lifted their
tall heads to the clouds. Here, fearing no injury, and
not desirous to do any, the gigantic herd roamed at
large, feeding on the green branches, which they tore
down with their trunks, bathing in deep rivers during
the heat of the day, and reposing in the depths of the
forests, reclined against the massy trunks of trees by
night. It was long before Indur met with any adven-
ture that could lead him to doubt his security. But,
one day, having penetrated into a close, entangled
thicket, he espied, lurking under the thick covert, a
grim tiger, whose eyes flashed rage and fury. Though
the tiger was one of the largest of his species, yet his
bulk was triflmg compared to that of an elephant, a
single foot of which seemed sufficient to crush him ;
vet the fierceness and cruelty of his looks, his angry
srowl, and grinning teeth, struck some terror into
Indur. There was little time, however, for reflection ;
for when Indur had advanced a single step, the tiger,
setting up a roar, sprang to meet him, attempting to
seize his lifted trunk. Indur was dexterous enough to
receive bin upon one of his tusks, and exerting all his
strength, threw the tiger to a great distance. He was
somewhat stunned by the fall, but recovering, renewed
the assault with redoubled fury. Indur again, anda
third time, threw him off; after which the tiger, turn-
ing about, bounded away into the midst of the thicket.
Indur drew back, and rejoined his companions, with
some abatement in the confidence he had placed in his