412 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



the thickness of a man's wrist, about 2 feet above the root. This 

 stem would probably be 12 feet in length; he bends it down, and 

 with a piece of twisted bark he ties the thin end to a neighbouring 

 tree-stem, so that it lies horizontally secured. He now cuts a 

 similar sapling from the opposite side, and bends that down on the 

 top of the first pole. He secures them together. This forms a 

 strong double rail, against which he plants a row of small green 

 boughs, broken off the trees, and arranged to look as though they 

 grew naturally in their new position. This makes an admirable 

 screen, behind which he squats upon the ground, invisible. He is 

 so low that he is beneath the ordinary line of view ; as all wild 

 animals, when disturbed and expecting danger, are looking out 

 for man, the shikari is far below ; when squatting, and stooping 

 behind his leafy screen, he is hardly more than 20 inches high. 

 A European could not compress himself into so small a compass. 

 An animal will always regard a level from 3 to 6 feet above the 

 surface, therefore it will generally overlook so low an object as 20 

 to 24 inches. 



I have frequently asked these men whether they were in danger 

 should a tiger or bear be driven towards them : they replied that 

 there was only a remote probability of their being observed by the 

 animals, who would pass by without seeing them. 



Whenever arranging a hiding-place for myself, I used much 

 stronger material, and bent down two horizontal poles about 3J 

 feet above the surface. I then filled in the space beneath with 

 thorns, against which I laid tufts of withered grass interspersed 

 with a few green branches. I sat upon a turn-stool behind this 

 screen, and cannot remember that I was ever observed until the 

 animal had passed me. I frequently had opportunities of watch- 

 ing the animals approach when the wind was fair, and they never 

 espied the hidden danger until they gained the wind by passing 

 my position. 



This style of shooting does not sound like fair sport, but in 

 many places it is the only method that can 1x5 adopted. If a man 

 is young and active, he may distinguish himself as a back-gun 

 behind the line of beaters : he will then have plenty of hard work, 

 and will generally obtain better shooting than those in the front, for 

 whom the beat is organised. In places of difficulty, where we 

 were doubtful of success in driving the game forward, I always 

 placed the two brothers in the rear of the beaters. The greater 

 portion of the game was shot when breaking back. 



Frequently, upon mountain sides so steep that it appeared 

 impossible for any four-footed animal to ascend, the sambur stag 



