The Tiger 245 



when the brute turned. In ancient times that class of 

 gladiators called Bcstiarii, encountered tigers in the 

 Roman arena; and if one may judge from notices that 

 are rather vague, they were pretty generally expended. 

 The Brinjarries, says Forsyth, sometimes, assisted by 

 their dogs, assail them with lances ; and they were cer- 

 tainly killed by arrows at one period, but in what propor- 

 tion to those whom they slew is unknown. 



Certain traits are common to all the race ; and as a sum- 

 mary of the foregoing, the appended remarks and illustra- 

 tions will not be out of place. Wherever the tiger is found, 

 water, despite Colonel Barras' solitary voice to the contrary, 

 must be near. He drinks much and often, and cannot live 

 in arid places. Therefore it is that the time to hunt him 

 in India is during the hot season. Those spots where he 

 resorts for water, and what is equally necessary to him, 

 shade, are well known in all parts where he is to be found ; 

 and it is there that buffaloes — young ones, for an ordi- 

 narily fastidious tiger will not touch an old, tough animal 

 — are tied up. When taken, his trail is followed to the 

 spot where he makes his lair. 



There is one exception, however, to all rules that usually 

 govern the pursuit of tigers. When a man-eater is the 

 object, the trailing must go on all day and every day until 

 this monster is run down. No better example of what is 

 to be done under these circumstances can be given than 

 Captain Forsyth's narrative of his own exploit in the 

 Betul jungle. 



"I spent nearly a week ... in the destruction of a 

 famous man-eater, that had completely closed several roads. 



