SHOOTING THE FELID^ OVER BAITS 75 



on being missed, but was on the goat again within 

 five minutes. In fact, a wild animal does not neces- 

 sarily associate the report of a firearm with the 

 presence of man, though probably experience teaches 

 him the lesson. It is quite a different thing if the 

 watcher is himself detected. I believe that the animal 

 that makes the discovery becomes cunning for life, 

 and never after approaches a bait without infinite 

 precautions. 



When the shot is fired, it is the best of all signs if 

 the animal crashes off at once through the under- 

 growth with two or three low growls. More likely 

 than not he will be found stone dead next morning 

 40 or 50 yards off. If, on the other hand, he falls to 

 the shot, and afterwards recovers his feet, he is 

 probably merely stunned, and unless he receives a 

 second barrel before he disappears, this may be the 

 last one will see of him. If he plunges about and 

 makes a great demonstration, my own experience 

 has been that he is generally more frightened and 

 angry than hurt. It seems scarcely necessary to 

 state that one should not quit the machan by night 

 for any consideration after firing a shot at a dangerous 

 beast, even although camp may be quite close, and 

 one might be tempted to return to it. Such a move 

 would be quite likely to cost the sportsman his 

 life, for not only the wounded animal itself, but 

 also its companions, will often watch for hours the 



