CHAPTER XX.

No regular breeding season.--Beliefs and prejudices of the natives about tigers.--Bravery of the 'gwalla,' or cowherd caste.--Claw-marks on trees.--Fondness for particular localities.--Tiger in Mr. F.'s howdah.--Springing powers of tigers.--Lying close in cover.--Incident. --Tiger shot with No. 4 shot.--Man clawed by a tiger.--Knocked its eye out with a sickle.--Same tiger subsequently shot in same place.--Tigers easily killed.--Instances.--Effect of shells on tiger and buffalo.--Best weapon and bullets for tiger.--Poisoning tigers denounced.--Natives prone to exaggerate in giving news of tiger.--Anecdote.--Beating for tiger.--Line of elephants.--Padding dead game.--Line of seventy-six elephants.--Captain of the hunt.--Flags for signals in the line. --'Naka,' or scout ahead.--Usual time for tiger shooting on the Koosee. --Firing the jungle.--The line of fire at night.--Foolish to shoot at moving jungle.--Never shoot down the line.--Motions of different animals in the grass.