XVI SITTING UP 191 



peer in all directions, shift their bodies, fidget, 

 and scratch. Try to sit absolutely motionless. 



This year I came on a freshly dragged kill, and 

 hid behind a tree. I got one glimpse of the white 

 front of a tigress. I moved my head several 

 times, as sambhur feeding behind me made me 

 nervous. Examination showed the place where 

 the tigress had lain, and from which she watched 

 my movements. 



If you cannot stay still for long periods, lie 

 down or sit back very gradually until you are out 

 of sight, and then trust your ears until you are 

 rested. Your ears will do all the work, anyhow, 

 after dark. 



But look all you can until dark. I have lost 

 two panther who walked past a kill in daylight 

 unseen by me until too late. 



(c) Silence, — I have mentioned elsewhere how 

 I lost a tiger through the scratching of a twig. 

 Wear nothing of leather that can creak. Take 

 off your boots and belt. Allow no food to be 

 wrapped in paper. Metal on metal is a sure 

 danger signal to the jungle. Eat only soft food 

 in the machan. Try to sit still till dark. At 

 9 P.M. I eat a light meal and sleep or rest, having 

 had tea on entering the machan. Food, bottles, 

 blankets, must all be so placed that they can be 

 picked up in the dark without noise. Allow no 

 re-entrant twigs. I always have a strong cross- 

 bar on which to rest my rifle. This helps aim, 

 allows use of rifle as a pistol, and greatly facilitates 

 the silent raising of the weapon. 



6. Method of tying up. — Always tie your 

 animal by a rope below the knee. Stain the rope, 



