VI 
THE TIGER 
191 
ness, and cannot be kept motionless by his 
mahout. 
A favourite shikar animal had been badly bitten 
by a tiger a few days before my arrival, and it was 
feared that she might become shy upon the next 
encounter. Although the elephant is enormous in 
weight and strength, the upper portion of the trunk 
is much exposed, as it is the favourite spot for the 
tiger’s attack, where it can fix its teeth and claws, 
holding on with great tenacity. A wound on the 
trunk is most painful, and when an elephant is 
actually pulled down by a tiger, it is the pain to 
which the animal yields in falling upon the knees, 
more than the actual weight and strength of the 
tiger that produce the effect. A tiger, when stand¬ 
ing upon its hind legs, would be able to reach about 
8 feet without the effort of a spring; it may be 
.readily imagined that a female elephant unprotected 
by tusks must certainly be injured should a tiger 
rush determinedly to the attack ; nevertheless the 
female is generally preferred to the male for 
steadiness and docility. When a really trustworthy 
male elephant is obtainable, well grown, of large 
size, easy action, and in perfect training, it is simply 
invaluable, and there is no pleasure equal to such a 
mount; the sensation upon such an animal is too 
delightful, and you long for the opportunity to 
exhibit the power and prowess of your elephant, as 
the feeling of being invincible is intensely agreeable. 
The only sensation that can approach it is the fact 
of being mounted upon a most perfect hunter, that 
