356 SPORT IN BENGAL. 



when in camp, in order to wage unceasing war against jackals 

 hyenas, and panthers, had his gun stolen from his side not- 

 withstanding his vigilance and frequent sallies out of his tent. 



If a robbery be committed in camp or boat, no matter 

 where, it should be reported to the police if any station or 

 outpost be within convenient distance, although in nine out 

 of ten cases nothing will come of it ; but if, in the tenth, a 

 man be arrested and sent up before some magistrate possibly 

 thirty, forty, or fifty miles off a tedious and oft-adjourned 

 inquiry will inevitably follow. It will be prudent, therefore, 

 after reporting the theft and handing in an accurate list of 

 the stolen articles to vacate that " section " of country, as the 

 United Statesians say, to avoid a waste of time and further 

 losses. In short, to protect his camp, the traveller must rely 

 upon himself and his dogs ; and he will, to that end, find it 

 desirable to keep at hand a gun, to use small shot, and to 

 fire low. 



In shooting with a line of elephants if not mounted on 

 your own, it will be advisable to let your " Mahout " under- 

 stand clearly that good and plucky conduct on his part will 

 be followed by a liberal present at the close of the trip, and 

 laziness and cowardice in a serious diminution thereof. 

 " Mahouts " as a class are indolent and aggravating to a 

 degree, particularly those in the service of the ordinary run 

 of " Zameendars " or native land-proprietors, whom they are 

 accustomed to cajole and domineer over ; and often, when 

 first brought into line, they are apt to try on the same game, 

 till sharply taken to task. If the captain of the beat know 

 his duty and be properly supported by the European sports- 

 men shooting under his guidance, such men may be brought 

 under discipline in a couple of days. To lose temper, to 

 use violent language, or to exert manual suasion on one's 

 " Mahout," is to make bad worse ; for if stupid and apathetic, 

 he will not become brighter and smarter by having his hair 

 brushed with the butt-end of a heavy rifle, and if sulky and 

 vicious he will grow worse under that process. The " Mahouts " 

 of such noblemen as the Nawabs of Moorshedabad and Dacca 



