VI 
THE TIGER 
215 
estimation of their merits; this gives them an 
additional interest in the proceedings. We were 
now thoroughly organised, and, if the tigers had 
been in the numbers that existed some years ago, 
we should have made a more than ordinary bag. 
The difficulty of managing so long a line of elephants 
with a tiger on foot, and only one gun, was shortly 
made apparent. 
One of our baits had been killed, and the body 
had been dragged into about twelve acres of wild 
rose. This bush produces a blossom rather larger 
than the common dog-rose of English hedges, and 
equally lovely. Although it is armed with a certain 
amount of thorns, it is not to be compared with the 
British variety as a formidable barrier, but, as it 
delights in swamp hollows, it grows into the densest 
foliage, about 18 feet high, and forms an impenetrable 
screen of tangled and matted vegetation. No 
human being could force his way through a network 
of wild rose, therefore it forms a desirable retreat 
for all wild animals, who can penetrate beneath it, 
and enjoy the protection of cool shade, and un¬ 
disturbed seclusion. 
In an open grass country it may be readily 
imagined that tigers would be certain to resort to 
such inviting covert, where they would be secure 
from all intrusion, and to which cavernous density 
they could drag and conceal their prey. 
Upon arrival about three miles from camp at this 
isolated patch of rose jungle, I felt sure that the 
tiger must be within. There was a similar but 
