THE INDIAN EMPIRE 
elephants are never quite stationary and are always moving a little from 
side to side, and for this kind of sport a weapon of the “paradox ” type 
is preferable. 
When shooting away from the railway line one can sometimes get 
permission to inhabit the bungalows built for the use of officials travelling 
on duty; from some of these I have enjoyed excellent sport while living 
in comfort, as dwelling in a small tent in the hot weather is anything 
but a joy. 
On the regular post-roads there are usually Dak bungalows, where any 
traveller can stop a night or two for a small payment, but it is seldom that 
much game is found within reach of them. 
It is while staying at Dak bungalows that the traveller makes that 
intimate and prolonged acquaintance with the murghi , or native fowl, 
seen running about the compound on arrival, and very shortly afterwards 
appearing on the dinner table. In the hot weather it is very difficult to find 
something appetizing to eat, and curry is a great blessing, as it is about 
the only form of food that tastes of anything. 
Nearly every year one hears of the death of some man from a tiger or 
leopard. The cause is nearly always the same, viz. following up a wounded 
beast into thick covert. As the majority of tigers or leopards are shot from 
a machan, or the back of an elephant, there is no reason why this should 
occur; but it seems due to the almost irresistible desire to make sure of 
the animal. For humanitarian reasons a wounded beast should always be 
dispatched as soon as possible; but the following up at once is an extremely 
hazardous proceeding, and old hands at the game are generally able to 
curb their impatience. 
Of course, if you have an elephant, the wounded tiger can be hunted 
down in much greater safety than can be done on foot. For any dangerous 
animal a double rifle is much better than a repeater, as if a second shot is 
required it is wanted pretty quickly. The sportsman should not scruple 
to buy the best rifle he can afford, as a man’s life, and that is sometimes 
his own, may depend upon the efficiency of the weapon. 
Now that the sovereign is current in India, and the exchange fixed at 
fifteen rupees to the £1, the money question is much simplified for anyone 
arriving in the country for the first time; a large supply of two- and four- 
anna pieces must, however, be carried to pay beaters, etc. It is most 
important that the sportsman should see himself that all payments are 
duly made to villagers, as if the matter is left to his servants some of the 
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