THE TIGER. 279 



gazelle. Eupees, or a prospect of tiiera, will be wanted 

 to loosen his tongue, and then his statements will likely 

 be studiously vague. His hearty services must be 

 secured, however, for he alone knows intimately the 

 ways and haunts of the tiger, and he alone will have 

 the pluck to accompany you or your shikari to mark 

 him down. If you are known to be a good paymaster 

 he will willingly serve you, otherwise you must promise 

 him a handsome douceur in case of success, to induce 

 him to spoil his own chance of claiming the Government 

 reward. This reward was, till financial difficulties re- 

 duced it to half, fifty rupees (£5) ; and, as all sportsmen 

 were entitled to claim it, it used to go far to cover the 

 cost of the hunt. I used always to divide it equally 

 between the village shikari, if he worked well, and my 

 own shikari and elephant driver. Now, however, the 

 sportsman will find himself a good deal out of pocket 

 by every tiger he kills. 



More precise information must be sought for by the 

 sportsman himself. The village shik;iri knows nothing 

 of our system of hunting by attacking the tiger in 

 his midday lair. His personal experience of him has 

 probably been confined to nocturnal interviews from the 

 tops of trees ; but he will be certain to know his habits 

 and usual resorts, and also whereabouts he is at the 

 time being. It is necessary, therefore, for some one to 

 go out with him who knows our style of work and what 

 particulars to note for guidance when the actual hunt 

 commences ; for it is absolutely necessary to have some 

 preliminary knowledge of the ground, and habits of the 

 particular tiger, to ensure success. In my earlier sport- 

 ing days I always went out to make the preliminary 

 exploration for tigers myself; and this is the only way 



