160 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



tree, or behind one, in the line along which the 

 tiger is most likely to advance. The former posi- 

 tion is preferable, first, because there is less dan- 

 ger, as a rule, and secondly, because, if the sports- 

 man keeps quite still, the tiger, who seldom if 

 ever looks up when disturbed, will be less likely 

 to observe him. Then the beat begins by much 

 shouting, beating of drums, blowing of c rum- 

 toolahs,' or native horns, and fifes, by the beaters, 

 perhaps half-a-mile away, accompanied by the 

 noise of some twenty rattles, which all combine 

 to create such a Pandemonium of sounds, that 

 few decent-minded tigers will stand it for long. 

 Generally, at the first shout the tiger, particularly 

 if he has been hunted before, moves off noiseless- 

 ly, and, passing one of the sportsmen's posts, 

 affords a quiet shot. If the tiger be wounded 

 only, the beaters should never be sent in to beat again. 

 It is not fair to send in a lot of poor, half-naked 

 wretches, armed only with sticks, to beat out a 

 furious and enraged animal, suffering from the 

 agonies of a wound and a burning sun. If not 

 on the score of humanity, self-interest alone should 

 prevent sportsmen taking this course ; for, if one 

 of the beaters be either killed or wounded, the 

 news of the catastrophe will travel like wild-fire 

 through the district, and he will not only have 

 much difficulty in getting beaters in the future, 



