TIGERS. 65 



c< within an hour. It is not always necessary, 

 " but it is usual, for one or more persons to be 

 " at hand, in the nearest trees, or in some secure 

 " situation, commanding a view of the spot, to 

 " watch the event, as well as to caution travellers 

 " who might inadvertently be proceeding towards 

 " the snare, and be liable to its mischief. 



" The bows are, however, with little deviation, 

 " laid in places not much frequented, and mostly 

 "at a time when all the surrounding villagers, 

 " understanding that some tiger has committed 

 " ravages, expect the bows to be laid near his 

 " haunts; which, in consequence, are carefully 

 " avoided. 



" When bows are fixed in grass jungles, for 

 " which, indeed, they seem peculiarly calculated, 

 " the tops of the grass are cut away with a sickle, 

 " so as to form a narrow vista for the passage of 

 " the arrow. The string which passes across the 

 *' path, is, however, carefully concealed ; the grass 

 " being brought over to meet, and cover it from 

 " the tiger's observation. It is not that the force 

 " of the arrow would be sensibly diminished in so 

 " short a course ; but that some rather stiff reed 

 or stick might touch, and divert it from its pro- 



c; 



