TIGERS. 87 



precarious. It is the general opinion of the inha- 

 bitants, that when a tiger has tasted human blood, 

 he prefers it to all other food. A year or two some- 

 times elapses, without any one being killed by a 

 tiger for several miles round ; although they are 

 often seen within that space, and are known to 

 destroy cattle ; but as soon as one man is killed, 

 others shortly after share the same fate ; this, I 

 imagine, is the reason why the natives entertain an 

 idea that they prefer men to all other food. I ac- 

 count for it otherwise. Tigers are naturally afraid 

 of men, and, in the first instance, seldom attack 

 them, unless compelled by extreme hunger. 

 When once they have ventured an attack, they 

 find them much easier prey than most animals of 

 the forest, and always to be met with near villages, 

 and on public roads, without the trouble of hunt- 

 ing about for them through the covers. 



A tigress, with two cubs, lurked about the Kut- 

 kumsandy pass, and during two months, killed a 

 man almost every day, and on some days two. 

 Ten or twelve of the people belonging to govern- 

 ment, (carriers of the post bags), were of the num- 

 ber. In fact, the communication between the 

 Presidency and the upper provinces, was almost 

 entirely cut off. The government, therefore, was 



