134 THE TIGER. 



so attract the prowling foe. In order to secure the living bait from being drawn out of the 

 trap by the Tiger's claws, it is protected by an inner cage, to which the animal cannot gain 

 access without dropping the door against his egress. This plan, however, is not very generally 

 followed, as it possesses hardly sufficient elements of success. 



A more productive plan — productive, because the reward for killing a Tiger, together with 

 the sum for which the skin, claws, and teeth sell, is sufficient to keep a native for nearly a 

 twelvemonth, — is, by digging a hole in the ground near a Tiger's haunt, putting a goat in the 

 hole, and tethering it to a stake which is firmly driven into the centre of the little pit. A 

 stone is then tied in one of the goat's ears,' which cruel contrivance causes the poor animal to 

 cry piteously, and so to call the attention of the Tiger. On hearing the goat cry, the Tiger 

 comes stealthily to the spot, and tries to hook up the goat with his paw. Not succeeding, on 

 account of the depth of the pit, he walks round and round, trying every now and then to 

 secure the terrified goat, and thus exposing himself fairly to the hunters, who, quietly perched 

 on a neighboring tree, and taking a deliberate aim with their heavy firelocks, lay him dead 

 on the spot of his intended depredation. 



A somewhat similar, but more venturesome mode of proceeding is that which is adopted 

 by the Shikarries, as these native hunters are called. 



When a Tiger has carried off a bullock, or some such valuable animal, the shikarrie pro- 

 ceeds to the spot, and after waiting sufficient time for the robber to gorge himself, and become 

 drowsy, he sets off in search of the murdered bullock ; a dangerous task, but one which is 

 much lightened by the indications afforded by vultures, jackals, and other carrion-loving 

 creatures, which never fail to assemble round a dead animal, of whatever race it may be. 



Having found the half-eaten carcase, and ascertained that the Tiger is fast asleep, the 

 hunter calls together as many assistants as possible, and with their aid, rapidly builds a 

 bamboo scaffold, some twenty feet high, and four feet wide, which is planted close to the spot 

 where the dead and mangled bullock lies. On the summit of the scaffold the shikarrie mounts ; 

 his gun and ammunition are handed up to him by his companions, his sharp "tulwar," or 

 sword, is hung ready to his grasp, and after offering their best wishes for success, the assistants 

 take their leave, each putting in a claim for some part of the spoils. The claws are the most 

 coveted portion of the animal, for the natives construct from two of these weapons a charm, 

 which, on the homoeopathic principle, is supposed to render the wearer invulnerable to attacks 

 from similar weapons. 



After awhile the Tiger wakes from the drowsy lethargy which was caused by repletion, 

 and after shaking himself, and uttering a few yawns, which draw the attention of the watchful 

 hunter, proceeds to his temporary station, for the purpose of making another meal on the 

 remains of the slaughtered animal. 



The shikarrie takes advantage of the opportunity, and resting his gun on the platform, 

 takes a deliberate aim, and lodges a bullet — often an iron one — in the body of the Tiger. 

 Generally the aim is so true that the Tiger falls dead, but it sometimes happens that the wound, 

 although a mortal one, is not instantaneously fatal, and the animal springs furiously upon the 

 foe who dealt the blow. The Tiger is no climber, but rage will often supply temporary ability ; 

 and so fiercely does the animal launch itself against the scaffolding, that if made of a softer 

 material, permitting the hold of the Tiger' s claws, the creature might reach the hunter ; or 

 that if not firmly planted, the whole edifice would be brought to the ground. But the smooth, 

 hard surface of the bamboo affords little hold for the sharp talons ; and, even if the animal 

 should succeed in approaching the platform where the hunter sits, a blow from the razor-edged 

 tulwar strikes off a paw, and the Tiger falls helplessly to earth, only to meet its fate by a 

 second bullet from the deadly firelock. 



Attracted by the report of the hunter's gun, the neighbors flock to the spot, each man 

 armed according to his ability ; and if the beast is killed outright, join in a chorus of lauda- 

 tion towards the successful hunter, and of anger towards his victim, which may now be insulted 

 with perfect impunity. Besides the ordinary trophies, which consist of the skin, claws, teeth, 

 and the ordinary reminiscences of success, other portions of the Tiger are eagerly sought by 

 the natives, the tongue and liver bearing the highest value. These organs are appropriated to 



