I 
THE RIFLE OF A PAST HALF CENTURY 
23 
he select a hollow Express, no matter whether *577, 
•500, or '450; or would he prefer a solid bullet to 
withstand a dangerous charge ? ” 
India is a vast empire, and various portions, 
according to the conditions of localities, have 
peculiar customs for the conduct of wild sports. 
In dense jungles, where it would be impossible to 
see the game if on foot, there is no other way of 
obtaining a shot except by driving. The gunners 
are in such case placed at suitable intervals upon 
platforms called mucharns, securely fitted between 
convenient forks among the branches of a tree, 
about 10 or 12 feet above the ground. From 
this post of vantage the gunner can see without 
being seen, and, thoroughly protected from all 
danger, he may amuse himself by comparing the 
success of his shooting with the hollow Express 
or with the solid bullet at the animals that pass 
within his range, which means a limit of about 
50 yards. I contend that at the short distance 
named, a tiger should never escape from a solid 
bullet ; he often escapes from the hollow bullet for 
several reasons. 
It must be remembered that animals are rarely 
seen distinctly in a thick jungle, countless twigs and 
foliage intercept the bullet, and the view, although 
patent to both open eyes, becomes misty and obscure 
when you shut one eye and squint along the barrel. 
You then discover that although you can see the 
dim shadow of your game, your bullet will have to 
cut its way through at least twenty twigs before it 
