294 THE TEAIL OF THE TIGER 



two tigers act the same. Incidentally, no tiger 

 shows so quickly as the panther. To know the 

 ground thoroughly, therefore, is an absolute essen- 

 tial to successful beating; not only to know the 

 cover to be driven, but the possible outlets to the 

 covers nearby. My failure to get a tiger in half a 

 dozen such tries is explained by just that lack of 

 knowledge which I never could find in the natives 

 upon whom I had to depend, and never could stop 

 long enough in one locality to acquire myself. 

 Where natives are as familiar with the tiger as 

 they are in India, and know the ground, the 

 chances are immeasurably enhanced, and success 

 should and will come to the experienced hunter 

 who can await such conditions. If your tiger 

 breaks cover directly in front of you, hold your 

 fire ; if possible let him get abreast of your position, 

 or past it, before you press the trigger. Other- 

 wise he is apt to break back among your beaters, 

 and may kill one of them; may destroy their cour- 

 age in themselves and their confidence in you, 

 which is very serious. 



Sitting up over a kill is the most frequent habit 

 of Malaya, and the most infrequent of success, as 

 compared with India, because of inexpertness in 

 building the " mechan," and in tying up the bul- 

 lock or goat, which should be placed in a quiet place, 

 several hundred yards from any cover where it 



