292 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



was said to have lain up. Below the cypress in which he 

 had taken up his quarters the covert became a mere strip, 

 some twenty yards in width, and here HaywarcL took up his 

 position in a tree, while I was posted in another on the far 

 side of the bed of the stream. Unfortunately, Hayward had 

 neglected to secure a proper seat, and had contented himself 

 with having his face to the quarter from which the tiger was 

 expected. It is seldom that the shooter, when perched on a 

 branch, can turn quickly so as to shoot to the right. He 

 should therefore place himself facing to the right with his left 

 shoulder towards the ~beat. By taking this precaution he will 

 secure a wide sweep for his rifle, and a beast will seldom 

 escape. 



On this occasion the tiger passed on the right of Hayward, 

 who was unable to turn to take aim. From my position on 

 the opposite bank I saw his dilemma, but could not fire till 

 the tiger was clear of his tree, and by that time my view was 

 obstructed by intervening bushes. However, I managed to 

 wound the tiger, but did not stop him, and he went off down 

 the river. A palaver was held, and it was settled that the 

 guns should again go ahead while the beaters came forward 

 cautiously in a compact body. Hayward therefore climbed 

 another tree, while I went forward and stationed myself on 

 the elephant to his right. As the beaters came on he observed 

 the wounded tiger emerge from the thicket aboiit 120 yards 

 on his left, and, raising the sight of his rifle, he was about to 

 fire, when another tiger came out in front of him and was 

 passing within a few yards. Forgetting that he had raised 

 the high sight, he transferred his aim to the new comer, and of 

 course fired over him, thereby losing both. Altogether it was 

 most unfortunate. We tried to follow up the wounded tiger, 

 but could make nothing of it. The ground was unsuited for 



