204 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



of which was attached to the apex of the triangle. By 

 pressing this sapling over the fork, the point of the triangle 

 was raised about four feet, and was kept in that position by a 

 trigger fastened to the other end and passing down through 

 the stones to a slight wooden partition of split bamboo, be- 

 hind which, in a pit sunk in the ground, the goat was tied. 

 The sides were closed by thorny bushes, and any panther 

 attempting to take the goat from the front, freed the trigger 

 and brought down the triangle with its weight of stones on 

 his back. 



Among the peons or attendants in the Mmar office was 

 Shaik Munnoo, a young Mahomedau, fond of sport, and a good 

 shot. He was a smart well-made man, dandified in his attire 

 when in quarters, and generally might be seen with his 

 turban stuck on one side of his head, one fold being allowed 

 to hang over his neck in a jaunty style. His ears were 

 adorned with large gold rings. Like most men of his creed 

 and calling he was generally in debt, and when his creditors 

 became too pressing, he used to apply for a few days' leave 

 and betake himself to the jungle, where he would sit up at 

 night, either over water or over the carcass of some murdered 

 cow, and having slain a tiger or panther he would return to 

 the station, claim the Government reward, pay his debts, and 

 renew his credit. 



My presence being required at a village about fourteen 

 miles off, I sent Munnoo ahead to endeavour to mark down 

 something, and followed next morning, taking with me the 

 doctor of the station, who, though an indifferent shot ; was 

 fond of sport. On our arrival, Munnoo informed us that a 

 cow had just been killed by a panther, and that he had 

 erected a small platform in a tree close by, from which it 

 might be shot at night. No part of the cow had been eaten, 



