ELEPHANTS. 157 



was invariably reported to be either at Muddoor or 

 Tippicado ; next day, on reaching Muddoor, he would be 

 on the return journey to either of the other places, and in 

 the journeys to and fro we never met. Then I got a 

 bullock-cart, and patrolled the road from Bandipore to 

 Tippicado, backwards and forwards for two days, in the 

 hope of "drawing" him, but it was useless ; finally I tried 

 strategy, by camping at Gopaulswamy, a position which 

 enabled me to act on Interior Lines, but an interview 

 could never be arranged. Moreover, these manoeuvres 

 occupied so much of my leave that the Karkancottah 

 rogue could not be visited on either occasion. The 

 ordinary wild elephants seemed to know that they were 

 protected, and were very much en evidence, in short 

 obtrusively familiar, being quite a nuisance when stalking 

 bison. But, although they were forbidden game, it was 

 most interesting to study their habits when bison were 

 not forthcoming. The few sportsmen who have had expe- 

 rience in this branch of shikar (they can be counted easily 

 on the fingers of one hand), with one notable exception, 

 are of opinion that it is the most risky type of sport, and all 

 have had several narrow escapes with wounded elephants. 

 The exception referred to was the late General Douglas 

 Hamilton, who declared bison shooting was more 

 dangerous, and to this opinion founded on great expe- 

 rience much deference is due. As a rule, the Indian 

 sportsman aims to strike the brain, which is small and oval 

 in section one foot long, and nine inches in breadth. It 

 lies far back, and low in the head, and, on account of its 

 position, the bullet, before reaching it, must penetrate a 

 considerable thickness of bone and tissue ; therefore the 

 projectile should be hardened, and propelled by a large 

 charge of powder. The front shot is the favourite one ; 



