66 SIR VICTOR BROOKE CHAP. 



We started for Tarikere, a distance of 18 miles. 

 We arrived, having pretty good bullocks, about twelve 

 o'clock. Fresh news of tigers ; there was a man 

 lying in the village, most probably dying from a wound 

 inflicted by a tiger. Here was fresh work for me ; 

 seeing a pony was an absolute necessity, I asked if 

 there was one for sale. I was informed that a Mr. 

 Price, an assistant engineer, had one ; it turned out 

 satisfactory a gray, well-bred-looking animal, with very 

 oddly-shaped legs. I gave him 150 rupees for it. In 

 the evening Gough and I went to look at the tiger's 

 haunts, which were in a cocoanut garden belonging to 

 the amendar or head of the village. The jungles, 

 though small, are very thick, and difficult to beat, and 

 there is a very close-growing sugar-cane crop, which if he 

 gets into, it will be a very ugly job to get him out. On 

 the way home a man came running to say the tiger 

 had just killed a bullock in some long grass. I was 

 immediately for going and shooting him on foot, but 

 Gough advised so strongly to the contrary, declaring he 

 would not go near the brute, that I gave it up. I 

 believe it turned out to be a humbug after all, but I am 

 not sure. I have ordered two elephants, which the 

 Rajah has most kindly lent me to try and despatch 

 the Benkypore tiger with (one of the most noted man- 

 eaters I suppose ever known ; he is supposed to have 

 killed over two hundred people, all natives), to be 

 stopped when they arrive, and I intend going to the 

 Barbarbuddan Hills to try for sambur and bison for a 

 week. The next day Gough and I rode to Sandy- 

 werry, which is half-way up the Barbarbuddan Hills ; 

 the ride is beautiful, and the getting out of the burning 

 plain into the cool atmosphere of the high grounds 

 most gratefully refreshing. Found Porter a nice 

 hospitable old boy, and his son a nice young 



