TIGERS. 113 



heart, and still be able to kill you before he dies. Anything 

 is better than being on the ground ; an elevation of four or 

 five feet will at all events give you the advantage of increased 

 command of ground. If posted on the ground, don't fire at 

 a tiger above you, i.e., on higher ground, unless he is moving 

 laterally, and clear of you. He will always bound forward 

 in prolongation of the line of his body when struck by a 

 bullet, and not knocked over or killed dead. Don't fire at 

 him when you are on the ground. If he is approaching in 

 your direction, let him pass, and take him as he goes away 

 he will on being hit spring forward in that direction ; if, 

 however, he is coming straight towards you, there are 

 three alternatives (1) show yourself, and he will 

 probably swerve off, offering you a fairly safe shot, or it 

 may head him to another gun, but don't wait until he is 

 too close, as all such animals, when suddenly encountered, 

 are liable to become aggressive ; or tap a tree or rock 

 without showing yourself, and he will alter his course, 

 probably giving you or one of your companions a 

 favourable shot ; or, if he is halted, offering a very easy 

 shot, he may be brained by a cool hand, who is clear of 

 his death-spring but this is a dangerous alternative, and 

 cannot be recommended. As he walks through a jungle, 

 the tiger does not look up above his own level conse- 

 quently, if properly posted, he will not see you. His 

 senses of sight and smell are very keen ; these facts are 

 frequently forgotten. A " cumbley " (blanket) or other 

 article, if hung upon a bush, will generally head a tiger 

 from that point, and save a "stop." 



Following up a wounded tiger is dangerous work when 

 no staunch elephant is available ; but in fairly open jungle, 

 with at least three rifles i.e., two men in addition to 



yourself it may, as a rule, be attempted. A native 



i 



