VI 
THE TIGER 
197 
elephants should be thrown forward a quarter of a 
mile ahead from either flank of the advancing line ; 
and, according to the conditions of the locality, two 
or more elephants with intelligent mahouts should be 
sent forward to take up positions ahead of the line 
at the terminus of the beat. These men should be 
provided with small red flags as signals should the 
tiger show itself; the waving of flags together with a 
shout will head the tiger, and drive it back towards 
the advancing line of elephants ; at the same time 
the signal will be understood that a tiger is afoot, 
and the mahouts will be on the alert. 
When a tiger is headed in this manner it will 
generally crouch, and endeavour to remain concealed 
until the elephants are close upon it. Upon such 
occasions it will probably spring upon the first dis¬ 
turber with a short harsh roar, and unless stopped 
or turned by a shot, it will possibly break through 
the line and escape to the rear, as many of the 
elephants will be scared and allow the enemy 
to pass. 
Should this occur, it will be necessary to counter¬ 
march, and to reverse the position by sending some 
active elephants rapidly upon either flank to take up 
certain points of observation about 500 yards distant, 
according to the conditions of the ground. This 
forms the principal excitement of tiger-shooting in 
high grass, as the sport may last for hours, especially 
if there are only two or three guns in a long line 
of elephants. If there is no heavy forest at hand, 
but only grass jungle, no tiger should be allowed to 
