THE TRAIL OP THE TIGER 291 



ment whatever of danger for anyone except the 

 mahout (driver) when the tiger charges the ele- 

 phant's head; at such times the mahout's seat 

 astride the elephant's neck just behind the great 

 ears becomes untenable if the attacking beast is 

 not quickly killed by the guns above in the howdah. 

 It is the method pursued by the native rajahs of 

 India, high officials, and visitors who want to kill 

 a tiger regardless of cost— and can afford the price. 

 And it is the most luxurious, expensive and easiest 

 way of gratifying the tiger-killing impulse. On 

 such a hunt from thirty to one hundred or even, 

 more elephants may be employed, and as ele- 

 phants are worth each from $400 to $2,000, and 

 cost about $1.00 a day for keep alone, an idea may 

 be formed of the hire of such an expedition— not 

 to mention its intrinsic value. Then there are the 

 mahouts and beaters and camp makers and water 

 carriers and personal servants, to number from 

 seventy-five to three hundred according to the size 

 and distinction of the expedition. 



The howdah in which the hunter rides and from 

 which he shoots, is a wood and cane affair resting 

 on two round long pads placed lengthwise either 

 side of the elephant's backbone, and firmly lashed 

 in place by ropes passing under the elephant's 

 neck, belly and tail. The hunters draw lots for 

 position and when they have been stationed— 



