16 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



intelligent natives may be posted on trees in one or more 

 with orders to cough or tap with a stick on a branch. This 

 will generally be sufficient to turn the tiger on the shooters. 



On the guns being placed, the beaters should commence 

 at some distance from the spot where they know the tiger to 

 be ; the more noise they can make the better. If suddenly 

 roused, the tiger may dash by the guns and give an uncertain 

 shot ; but by commencing to beat at a distance, he has time to 

 rise, and move off quietly ; and, as they seldom look up, he 

 will at times come under the very tree from which the hunter 

 quietly awaits his approach. By this means I have shot 

 tigers within fifteen feet of the muzzle of my gun, before they 

 were aware of my presence. 



If the tiger is wounded and goes on, the elephant must be 

 called into requisition, and all beaters left behind. Neglect 

 of this precaution will often be followed by bad accidents. 



Bears may often be shot on foot, and by two guns together, 

 with comparative safety ; but they are tenacious of life at 

 times, and savage when wounded. They generally select a 

 quiet spot to lie up, but care little for heat, notwithstanding 

 their black colour and long hair. When convenient, they in- 

 habit caves and rocks, but I have often shot them in grass, 

 where they had been lying throughout the day exposed to all 

 the power of the Indian summer sun. 



Most of the remarks which I have written regarding tigers 

 apply also to panthers. The latter are most savage and 

 dangerous animals, and too much precaution cannot be taken 

 in hunting them. They can conceal themselves anywhere, 

 and when attacked will charge repeatedly and in the most 

 determined manner. 



On no occasion ought the beaters to be exposed to danger 

 more than is necessary, and they ought never on any account 



