VI THE TIGER 135 



special instructions to tie up buffaloes for bait should the tracks 

 of tigers be discovered. The latter order was a mistake, as the 

 buffaloes should not have been tied up until our arrival at the 

 locality ; upon several occasions the animals were killed and eaten 

 some days before we were able to arrive upon the scene. 



This was proved to be the case upon our arrival at Bijore', 

 about nine miles from the town of Moorwarra, where the zealous 

 official had exhibited too eager a spirit for our sport. Two buffaloes 

 had been tied up about half a mile apart, near the dry bed of a 

 river, where in an abrupt bend the current had scooped out a deep 

 hole in which a little water still remained. Both buffaloes had 

 been killed, and upon our arrival early in the morning nothing 

 could be discovered except a few scattered bones and the parched 

 and withered portions of tough hide. 



There were tracks of tigers upon the sand near the drinking- 

 place, also marks of cheetul and wild pigs, therefore we determined 

 to drive the neighbouring jungle without delay. 



The neighbourhood was lovely, a succession of jungles and open 

 grass -glades, all of which had been burnt clean, and exceedingly 

 fine grass, beautifully green, was just appearing upon the dark 

 brown surface scorched by the recent fire. 



There were great numbers of the ornamental mhowa trees, 

 which from their massive growth resembled somewhat the horse- 

 chestnut trees of England. These had dropped their luscious wax- 

 like blossoms, which from their intense sweetness form a strong 

 attraction to bears and other animals of the forests ; they also 

 form a valuable harvest for the natives, who not only eat them, 

 but by fermentation and distillation they produce a potent spirit, 

 which is the favourite intoxicating liquor of the country. 



If game had been plentiful this would have been a charming 

 hunting-ground, but, like most portions of the Central Provinces, 

 the animals have been thinned by native pot-hunters to an extent 

 that will entail extermination, unless the game shall be specially 

 protected by the Government. When the dry season is far 

 advanced, the animal can only procure drinking water at certain 

 pools in obscure places among the hills ; these are well known to 

 the native sportsman, although concealed from the European. On 

 moonlight nights a patient watch is kept by the vigilant Indian 

 hunter, who squats upon a mucharn among the boughs within 10 

 yards of the water-hole, and from this point of vantage he shoots 

 every animal in succession, as the thirst-driven beasts are forced to 

 the fatal post. 



Nothing is more disappointing than a country which is in 



