THE CAT TRIBE. 



49 



favorite sports in India. A number of hunters assemble, mounted 

 I n elephants trained to the sport, and carry with' them a supply of 

 loaded rifles in their howdahs, or carriages mounted on the ele- 

 phants' backs. Thus armed, they proceed to the spot wheie a tiger 

 Kaa been seen. The animal is usually found hidden in the long 

 gn«is or jungle, which is frequently eight or more feet in height. 



and when roused, he endeavors to creep away under the grass. The 

 movement of the leayas betrays him, and ho is checked by a rifle 

 ball aimed at him through the jungle. Finding that he cannot 

 escape without being seen, he turns round, and springs at the 

 nearest elephant, endeavoring to clamber up it, and attack the part) 

 in the howdah. This is the most dangerous part of the proceed- 

 ings, as many elephants will turn round and run away, regardless 

 of the efforts of their drivers to make them face the tiger. Should, 

 however, the elephant stand firm, a well-directed ball checks the 

 tiger in his spring, and he then endeavors again to escape, but a 

 volley of rifle balls from the backs of the other elephants, who by 

 this time have come up, lays the savage animal prostrate, and in a 

 yery short time his skin decorates the successful marksman's how- 

 5 D 



