12 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



The tiger will, however, generally kill the buffalo and de- 

 vour half of him, always beginning at the point of the buttock 

 or inside the thigh. If the rope is not very strong, he will 

 break it and drag off the carcass to some covert ; but in either 

 case, if he is not disturbed, and eats well, he will lie up in the 

 nearest spot where he can get good shade, or shade and water 

 combined. 



By the first streak of dawn the shikarees will be out ex- 

 amining the country, and looking after the baits. All the 

 buffaloes found alive should be taken to a cool spot for the 

 day, and they should be well fed and watered. If one has 

 been killed, the shikarees will quietly approach the spot, and 

 endeavour to find out where the footprints lead to. Especial 

 care is requisite at this early hour, as in the cool of the morn- 

 ing the tiger, unless very lazy and much gorged, is apt to 

 move if disturbed, and there may be great difficulty in again 

 marking him down that day. 



Towards seven or eight o'clock the sun will be powerful, 

 and the shikarees may advance nearer. Should the tracks 

 lead into a thick covert or mass of rocks, or other spot where 

 the tiger may be supposed to have lain up, the shikarees will 

 proceed to ring the game by carefully examining the ground 

 for footprints, at some distance all round the covert. If no 

 footprints are to be seen, and the place is in their opinion a 

 good one, they will quietly mount trees commanding a good 

 view of the ground. 



The tiger will probably change his position, and, if there 

 be a pool of water, will come out to drink and roll in it ; or 

 some inquisitive crow will perch over him, and drawing 

 attention by cawing, will indicate his position to the shikarees, 

 who, on being certain of his presence, will send off one of 

 their number to camp to bring up the hunters. 



