706 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



it is evident that tbe animal is able to live in a mucli more rigorous climate than is 

 commonly imagined. Even in India the tiger is by no means confined to the sultry 

 jungle, for we learn from Mr. Hodgson's account of the mammalia of Nepaul, that in 

 the Himalaya he is sometimes found at the very edge of the perpetual snow. 



Tiger-hunting is a chief pleasure of the Indian rajahs and zemindars, who, anxious 

 that their favorite amusement may suffer no diminution, forbid any one else to chase on 

 their domains, however much their poor vassals may have to suffer in consequence. 

 But the delight they take in tiger shooting never leads the cautious Nimrods so far as 

 to endanger their precious persons. On some trees of the jungle a scaffolding is pre- 

 pared, at a ludicrous hight for his highness, who, at the appointed hour, makes his 

 appearance with all the pomp of a petty Asiatic despot. The beating now begins, 

 and is executed by a troop of miserable peasants, who most unwillingly submit to this 

 forced and unpaid labor, which is the more dangerous for them as they are dispersed 

 in a long line, instead of forming a troop, the only way to secure them against the 

 attacks of the tiger. Thus they advance with a dreadful noise of drums, horns, and 

 pistol-firing, driving the wild beasts of the jungle towards the scaffolding of their lord 

 and master. At first the tigers, startled from their slumbers, retreat before them, but 

 generally on approaching the scaffolding they guess the danger that awaits them, and 

 turn with a formidable growl upon the drivers. Sometimes, however, they summon 

 resolution to rush with a few tremendous bounds through the perilous pass, and their 

 flight is but rarely impeded by the ill-aimed shots of the ambuscade. Nevertheless, 

 great compliments are paid to the noble sportsman for his ability and courage, and 

 nobody says a word about the poor low-born wretches, that may have been killed and 

 mutilated by the infuriated brutes. 



Colonel Rice, an English hunter, managed his tiger-shooting excursions on a very 

 different plan. Provided with excellent double-barrelled rifles, and accompanied by a 

 troop of well-armed, well-paid drivers, and a number of courageous dogs, he boldly 

 entered the jungle to rouse the tiger from his lair. In front of the party generally 

 marched the shikarree or chief driver, who, attentively reconnoitering the traces of the 

 animal, pointed out the direction that was to be followed. On his right and left hand 

 walked the English sportsmen, fully prepared for action, and behind them the most 

 trustworthy of their followers, with loaded rifles ready for an exchange with those that 

 had been discharged. Then followed the music, consisting of four or five tambourines, 

 a great drum, cymbals, horns, a bell, and the repeated firing of pistols, and convoyed 

 by men armed with swords and long halberds. A few slingsmen made up the rear, 

 who were constantly throwing stones into the jungle over the heads of the foremost of 

 the party, and even more effectually than the noise of the music drove the tiger from 

 his retreat. From time to time one of the men climbed upon the summit of a tree to 

 observe the movements of the grass. The whole troop constantly formed a close body. 

 The tiger in cold blood never dares to attack a company that announces itself in so 

 turbulent a manner. If he ventures it is only with half a heart ; he hesitates, stops at 

 a short distance, and gives a hunter time to salute him with a bullet. While strictly 

 following an order of march like the one described, the drivers run little risk, even in 

 the thickest jungle ; but the difficulty is to keep them together, as the least success 

 immediately tempts them to disperse. 



On one of these hunting expeditions Ensign Elliott, a friend of the Colonel's, had 



