192 INDIAN BIG GAME 



as well as any cut timber, with mud or cow-dung. 

 Whether the rope should be so strong that it 

 cannot be broken is a matter for consideration on 

 each occasion. 



In tying up for a beat the rope should always 

 be weak, of course. A tiger is more likely to 

 return if he has broken the rope and dragged the 

 kill. A weak rope would therefore seem prefer- 

 able. But as in my opinion one should avoid 

 moving the kill if possible, it follows that a 

 tree for the machan may be hard to find. The 

 choice of such will be largely facilitated by a 

 good electric light working up to fifty yards. 



On the other hand, with an unbreakable rope 

 the machan can be prepared before there is any 

 kill, an undoubted advantage. 



In a quiet spot, with unwary tiger, a strong 

 rope is probably best. In other cases use a weak 

 one. Use bark rope made on the spot. 



Do not waste the tiger's time or your own in 

 tying up old indigestible cattle. 



If the kill is dragged it is absolutely essential 

 that it should be picketed by a stained and 

 buried rope to some adjacent root or stem, and 

 failing that to a concealed peg. Tiger when they 

 have come to their kill nearly always give it a lift 

 and a pull and generally move it a few yards, 

 often taking it much further. I have lost two 

 tiger through non-observance of this important 

 rule. 



For shy panther you will have to use the old 

 ruses, such as driving goats past your machan 

 and dropping a big stone attached to the rope to 

 anchor the goat as it passes ; or men must make 



