154 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



My own personal experience of tiger-shooting 

 was confined to two hot-weather trips, during 

 which I shot, or assisted in shooting, some sixteen 

 to twenty tigers. I had, however, the advantage 

 of knowing intimately some well-known and 

 thorough sportsmen, good men and true, whose 

 word could be relied upon, and who would sooner 

 have cut off their right hand than exaggerate (as 

 so many are prone to) the result of their bags, or 

 any incidents connected with them. 



Tiger-shooting is popularly supposed to be an 

 expensive sport, and generally beyond the reach of 

 a man not blessed with much of this world's goods. 

 It is supposed that it cannot be pursued with- 

 out a large array of elephants and beaters, etc. : 

 all of which cost money. No greater mistake. If 

 a man's heart be in any pursuit, depend upon it 

 he will pursue it, and often successfully under 

 every disadvantage : at least I know such was the 

 case with me, for as an impecunious, very im- 

 pecunious, subaltern I managed to have my share 

 of this individual sport, without incurring any 

 debt which I was not justified in doing. In fact, 

 I do not think it cost more than, if as much as, 

 living in cantonments. 



My first hot- weather trip was taken in company 



with a brother-officer, much my senior in age, 



1 and service, but, as far as f shikar ' was concerned, 



