216 MODERN PIG-STICKING 



shot with the Central India Horse will recognize 

 the great influence possessed by their shikaries, 

 sowars, and non-commissioned officers of a high 

 class. 



Never let any one give a single order to your 

 shikaries except yourself. They must look up to 

 you as their best friend, but they must also be 

 afraid of you. Pay by results. If a man gets the 

 same pay whether he produces sport or not, what 

 can you expect ? If you find them wrong, through 

 want of experience or by ill-fortune, make every 

 allowance, say not a word. If you find them 

 wrong through carelessness or neglect, say still less 

 at the time : afterwards, in private, make your 

 views quite clear and cut their rewards heavily. 

 If a man fails you twice get rid of him. 



In many hunts you will see an old shikari kept, 

 often past his work but with the glamour of years 

 of sport behind him. I am convinced such men are 

 a mistake ; they certainly know the ground, but 

 they are quite unable to get over it. 



Your good shikari must be ubiquitous and 

 tireless, always over the ground. He should 

 have, like Cassius, " a lean and hungry look," and 

 not be " sleek -headed such as sleeps o' night." 

 If he is fat get rid of him at once : he must be 

 unjust, rich, and lazy. A knowledge of tracking 

 is essential. 



Impress on your shikaries that their reports 

 must be accurate, and that they must always, if 

 anything, under -estimate the prospects of sport. 

 Teach them what cover is rideable and what is not. 

 If you cannot do this you must go out before each 

 meet and ride through the covers yourself. You 

 have no right to drag the members out many miles 



