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TIGER-HUiNTJXG. 455 



great mountain chains of Kuen-Lun (So'^N.), and of Mouztagh 

 (42° N. lat.), each covered with perpetual snows, mere summer 

 excursions are quite out of the question, and it is evident that 

 the animal is able to live in a much more rigorous climate than 

 is commonly imagined. Even in India the tiger is by no means 

 confined to the sultry jungle, for we learn from Mr. Hodgson's 

 account of the mammalia of Nepaul, that in the Himalayas he 

 is sometimes found at the very edge of perpetual snow. 



Tiger-hunting is a chief pleasure of the Indian rajahs and 

 zemindars, who, anxious that their favourite amusement may 

 suffer no diminution, forbid anyone else to chase on their 

 domains, however much their poor vassals may have to suffer in 

 consequence. But the delight they take in tiger-shooting never 

 leads these cautious Nimrods so far as to endanger their precious 

 persons. On some trees of the jungle a scaffolding is prepared, 

 at a ludicrous height, for his Highness, "svho, at the appointed 

 hour, makes his appearance with ,all the pomp of a petty Asiatic 

 despot. The beating now begins, and is executed by a troop of 

 miserable peasants, who most unwillingly submit to this forced 

 and unpaid labour, which is the more dangerous for them as 

 they are dispersed on a long line, instead of forming a troop, 

 the only way to secure them against the attacks of the tiger. 

 Thus they advance with a dreadful noise of drums, horns, and 

 pistol-firing, driving the wild beasts of the jungle towards 

 the scaffolding of their lord and master. At first the tigers, 

 startled from their slumbers, retreat before them, but generally 

 on approaching the scaffolding they guess the danger that 

 awaits them and turn with a formidable growl upon the drivers. 

 Sometimes, however, they summon resolution to rush with a few 

 tremendous bounds through the perilous pass, and their flight 

 is but rarely impeded by the ill-aimed shots of the ambuscade. 

 Nevertheless, great compliments are paid to the noble sportsman 

 for his ability and courage, and nobody says a word about the 

 poor low-born wretches that may have been killed or mutilated 

 by the infuriated brutes. 



Our English tiger-hunters generally proceed on a very different 

 plan. Provided with very excellent double-barrelled rifles, 

 and accompanied by a troop of well-armed, well-paid drivers, 

 and a number of courageous dogs, they boldly enter the jungle 

 to rouse the tiger from his lair. In front of the party generally 

 marches the shikarree, or chief driver, who attentively recon- 



