ROUND THE CAMP FIRE 341 



whole system loosened ; and thus the keenest and strongest 

 of us often find it an actual impossibility to fulfil the tasks 

 we set ourselves. At such times it is easier to give advice 

 than to accomplish what we know ought to be done ; to 

 theorise than to practise ; to instil musketry principles than 

 to shoot straight. Then it is that we owe our sport to the 

 exertions of our native friends, whose dusky frames are 

 better suited to labour under their fiery sun ; and this is one 

 of the greatest drawbacks to tiger-shooting, which, as a 

 sport, is not to be compared to those forms of hunting 

 in which one's success depends more largely on personal 

 skill and effort. 



Another matter which conduces to straight shooting and 

 success is some handy means of obtaining a firm perch in 

 a tree, so as to be able to use the rifle properly. To stand 

 precariously balanced on some branch, able to fire in but 

 one direction, and that with difficulty, is not the way to 

 conduct operations against felines. It would be better 

 to stand on terra firma, where one can at least employ 

 one's weapon with effect and discretion. 



To obtain some really practical means of securing this 

 perch aloft is no easy matter. Putting aside the erection 

 of a machdn or platform of poles, which takes time and 

 noise in the making, one must fall back on some portable 

 arrangement which can be easily and quickly fixed aloft. 

 There is the ordinary native bedstead, of course useful 

 enough, but difficult on which to change position quickly 

 in the case of the quarry passing away to the shooter's 

 right hand. 



The same may be said of the leather cushion tied at 

 four corners to the surrounding boughs ; and of the 

 shooting ladder, where the sportsman perches on the top 

 rung. Best of all, of course, would be something that 

 the sportsman himself might carry and fix aloft. This 

 is, however, difficult to secure. After experimenting with 

 various ideas, the writer has found a fairly useful device 



