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PREFATORY
When I wrote "Sport and Work on the Nepaul
Frontier," a book which is incorporated with the present volume, I closed it
with these words: "If this volume meets the approbation of the public, I may
be tempted to draw further on a well-stocked memory, and gossip afresh on
Indian life, Indian experiences, and Indian sport," &c. The book was
undoubtedly well received. A cheap edition of many thousand copies was
struck off by the "Franklin Square Press" in America, and was widely read in
the United States; and in Australia regrets have been frequently expressed
that the original edition had been exhausted. I am therefore to some extent
justified in believing that my Indian gossip has fairly met with the-
approbation of a large section of the reading public. Hence in the present
work I singly resume the thread of my sporting recollections. I have chosen
my own way of telling my story and arranging my incidents, so as to add
fresh interest, and enlist the attention and the goodwill of my readers as
far as possible, and I hope I may have been fairly successful in doing this.
JAMES INGLIS.
Sydney, N.S.W., 1888.
ORIGINAL PREFACE TO "SPORT AND WORK".
I WENT home in 1875 for a few months, after some
twelve years' residence in India. What first suggested the writing of such a
hook as this, was the amazing ignorance of ordinary Indian life betrayed by
people at home,. The questions asked me about India, and our daily life
there, showed in many cases such an utter want of knowledge, that I thought,
surely there is room here for a chatty, familiar, unpretentious book for
friends at home, giving an account of our every-day life in India, our
labours and amusements, our toils find relaxations, and a few pictures of
our ordinary daily surroundings in the far, far East.
Such then is the design of my book. I want to
picture to my readers Planter Life in the Mofussil, or country districts of
India ; to tell them of our hunting, shooting, fishing, and other
amusements; to describe our work, our play, and matter-of-fact incidents in
our daily life; to describe the natives as they appear to us in our intimate
every-day dealings with them, to .illustrate their manners, customs,
dispositions, observances and sayings, so far as these bear on nur own
social life. I am no
politician, no learned ethnologist, no sage theorist. I simply try to
describe what I have seen, and hope to enlist the attention and interest of
my readers, in my reminiscences of sport and labour, in the villages and
jungles on the far-off frontier of Nepaul.
I have tried to express my meaning as far as
possible without Anglo-Indian and Hindustani words; where these have been
used, as at times they could not but be, I have given a synonymous word or
phrase in English, so that all my friends at home may know my meaning.
I know that my friends will be lenient to my
faults, and even the sternest critic, if he look for it, may find some
pleasure and profit in my pages.
JAS. INGLIS.
Sydney, N.S.W.
Oct., 1878.
PREFACE
I have had so many inquiries for copies of
"Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier," now out of print, that I resolved,
when publishing my new book, "Tent Life in Tiger-land" (which is really a
continuation of my planting and hunting experiences in India), to reprint
the former volume, and the present double volume is the result of that
resolve. My
"unpretentious chatty gossip" has been so favourably received by both critic
and general reader, that I may be pardoned if I anticipate the same kindly
reception for the present work.
I have written the. new matter from my old
sporting journals, at odd hours, as a recreation amid the worries and
distractions of business and political life. It is therefore perhaps
fortunate that I never pretended to be master of a graceful literary style.
Yet let me hope my book may not only interest
and amuse but that my endeavours to give a faithful picture of planter life
in India may help to remove some misconceptions, and enlist the sympathy of
our fellow-countrymen for those gallant and kindly pioneers of peaceful
conquest who are doing so much to uphold the high honour and fair fame of
the dear old mother land in the far-off Eastern dependency, so full of
interest and mystery, and which (may I say it ?) is still so little known or
understood by the mass of average Britons at home.
Your obliged and faithful servant,
JAMES INGLIS.
CONTENTS
Introduction
My residence in favoured districts for sport—Purneah—Bhaugulpore—Kheri—How
Indian descriptions strike the ordinary English reader—Jogees or FaJceers—Scenes
and encounters in the jungle—The attitude of the sceptical inexperienced
reader to records of Indian sport—Anecdote in illustration—An appeal to the
reader.
Chapter I. -
Too Close to the Pleasant.
The Koosee Valley—Our Hunt Club—The members—Our camp— "Old Mac"—The must
elephant—A sudden alarm—A mad charge—Wreck of the camp—"Old Mac" in deadly
peril - The Rescue—Reaction.
Chapter II. - At Close Quarters with a Tiger
Ryseree—A decaying village—Ravages of the river—Joe's yarn— The ruined
shrine—"Sign" of tiger—The bamboo thicket-—A foolhardy resolve—Tracking
tiger on all fours—Inside the thicket—Inside the enclosure—Inside the temple
—The bats— "Alone with a man-eater"—The tigress at bay—"Minutes that seem
like hours"—Well done, good revolver—"Never again on foot"—Wild beast
statistics from The Saturday Review.
Chapter III. - A Nocturnal Adventure.
Out for Kubber—A clean shot—The Loha sarung, or sarus crane— A strange place
for a live fish—Wealth of game—A varied baft— My yarn—Leopards superior to
the tiger in daring and ferocity— Partiality to a diet of dogs—A seed
harvest camp—Leopards close by—A sultry night under canvas—Dozing off—Is it
a nightmare?—A terrible awakening—Eye to eye—A perilous interviewer—The
fatal shot.
Chapter IV.
- The Habitations of Horrid Cruelty.
Back to camp—A piteous burden—The agonised mother—The father's story—Pity
and indignation—An ingrate servant— Fiendish barbarity—The long weary
night—Welcome arrival of the old doctor—Hovering twixt life and
death—Skilful surgery —"Who did it?"—The tell-tale slate—How the deed was
done —Retribution.
Chapter V. - Rough-Riding in India.
News of a "kill"—Elephants in line—The jungle at early dawn— Half through
the Baree—A tiger charges—A bolting elephant —Smash goes the howdah—Escape
of "Butty"—Wasps and elephants—"Dotterel" — A razor-backed elephant — "That
demon of a dog"—Bolted—A shaker—How to tame a vicious tusker.
Chapter VI. - The Bear
and The Blacksmith
A Bancoorah yarn—Billy the blacksmith—The black sloth bear — Camp at
Susunneah marble quarries—A transformation scene— Night melodious—Locale of
the hunt—To our posts!—The boat—Billy is dry—"Look out! there's a
bear!"—Down goes Billy—Bruin a-top—A novel wrestling match—Intense
excitement—Over the precipice!—Search for the body—Miraculous
escape—"Twank-a-diddle-oh"—More about bears—The surveyor's fight for life—A
terrible disfigurement—Marvels of modem suigery—A sweetheart true as steel—A
slap at sceptics — Truth stranger than fiction.
Chapter VII. - Never trust a tiger
Exaggerated yarns—Man-eating tigers—An easy prey—"On the watsh"—A common
tragedy—"Mourning in soma lowly hut" - The Pertaubgunj tiger—Shifting
camp—An obstinate elephant— River-side scenery—Revolver
practice—Sa7amet—Rapacity of servants—A halt—Enquiry—We fi>r;n line—The
beat—Elephants uneasy—The min-eater breaks cover—A tame termination—False
security—"Look out, boys; it's alive!"—A dying effort and a costly bite—An
instance of cool heroism—In the jaws of a tiger—A plucky rescue—Moral:
"Never trust e tiger".
Chapter VIII. - Old Times.
The old well—The Fakeer—A pious old hermit—Jvgees—Pagan cruelties—Peter the
braggart—Soured by bad luck—Scotch Hindostanee—Puter pot valiant—His "teeger"
story-—An ignominious collapse—The real truth of the matter—The "Blue
Devils"—Practical joking—The rough pioneer days—Police tortures—"Old Hu'.man
Sahib''—A novel punishment—The old regime changed—Modern progress.
Chapter IX. - A Chapter on "pig-stickin".
Getting under weigh—Tally-ho!—Game afoot—A cunning old tusker—one man
down—At our wits end —A ghat ahead—The bow is a "jinker"—A comical
interlude--"Now's the chance" —First spear!—A desperate fight for life—Death
of the boar— Eulogy on the sport—The Queenslander on Indian sports— "Hints
to Hog Hunters" from The Oriental Snorting Magazine.
Chapter X. - An Exciting Night Watch
Belated at Fusseah—The old Chowkeydar—Starching for supper— The dilapidated
bungalow—The Gomastah's news—Tigers close by—Proposal to sit up for a
shot—Shooting from pits—Night scenes in the jungle—A silent watch—A misty
figure through the gloom—A sudden roar—The challenge accepted—The plot
thickens—The young tiger and the old boar—A death-struggle— Savage beasts in
mortal conflict—Defiant to the last—Trophies of the night.
Chapter XI. - Police Rascality
The native village police then and now—The power of the Daroga —Exactions
from the peasantry—My attitude to the police— The village jury system—My
neighbour down the river—A bungalow of the olden time—The ch.abv.tra—Changed
methods now of dealing with natives-—Taking villages in lease—Measuring the
new lands—Native disaffection—Police plottings—The Dhaus—A welcome
visitor—Out with the doctor-—Put up a tiger—A resultless beat—A day's
general shooting—Events down the river—Cholera—Death in the lonely hut—Spies
at work-—A devilish plot—Concocting false evidence—A late call—Making a
night of it—In the morning—Accused of murder—The arrest — Reserves his
defence—The trial—Excitement in court-—Appearances all against the
planter—Turning the tables—The case breaks down—Discomfiture of the Police.
Chapter XII. - An Eventful Day.
The famine of 1874—Nature of relief works—Fatalism—Humane tendencies of
British rule — Epidemics — Sharp contrasts— Crowded incidents of planter
life—A fierce hail-storm—A runaway elephant—Through the forest—Hue and cry
after a thief— A desperate fugitive—Setting an ambush—Female furies—An
exciting diversion—A desperate scuffle—Capture—Tactics of the female gipsies—Horrible
cruelty—A hapless little one—Outwitted!—The robber escapes—Feasting amid
famine—A Brahmin bhoj—Appearance of the village—The guests—The cookery— The
feast — Strange plates—A motley melange—Prodigious appetite—Once more on the
road—Reach Soopole—Hospitable reception.
Chapter XIII. - Famine and Fighting
Early spring in India—"The Black District"—Desperate straits— One ghastly
group—Relief works—Conservatism of Latives—The easy-going style of work—A
zealous young reformer—Glowing visions—Wheelbarrow reform—Irritating —
Explaining— Theory- —Actual practice—-Back to the old style—The coolies— Sad
scenes—Poor suffering humanity—The terrible hunger— Bick to Hoolas—The seed
industry—Native dodgery—Tricks and tests of the seed traie—Mode of
contract—Fluctuations of the market—A slippery neighbour—News of a meditated
looting expedition—The Oolail—Preparing for a fight—Call out the
levies—Disposition of our forces—News of the raiders—Confronting the
robbers—Their insolent audacity—A knick-dcwa blow — "Wigs on the green"—A
regular ruction—"Loot" and "lay on"—The tide of battle—Victory!
Chapter XIV. - Caste Characteristics
Curiosities of the census—Quaint characters—The Bohemians of the
East—Mendicant friars—Actors and jugglers—The Story Teller —"After a weary
day"—A visitor in camp—His appearance— His reception—The gaping circle of
listeners—The stoiy— "Petumbjr and Mahabjobun"—The story of their love—A
rival —Plot and counterplot—The drama develops—Petumber's sudden
return—Confusion of the wicked plotter—Jealousy—Wifely fidelity—The darkened
batii chamber—Assumption of a strange character —The furious scandal —Crack!
— "Tung-ng-ng!" — Acting up to his character—"Glug-glug-glug!"—Another good
story—"The Brahim and the Bunneah"—Sanctity and pretensions of the
Brahmins—Their power on the wane—Progress of modern thought—An enlightened
Hindoo on the decadence of priestcraft—Beneficence of British rule
Chapter XV. - Perils by Flood
Native characteristics —Pioneer work —Riverside villages —The harvest of the
flood—the cousins—Bad blood—A murderous blow—My arrival on the scene—We must
find the body—The boat—The river in flood—Swept away by the torrent—Shooting
the rapids—Straining every nerve to avoid the main stream—One spot of refuge
amid the raging waters—The deserted cattle camp —The floating
island—learning with fugitive life—Unexpected flotsam—A babe in -strange
company—The mangy tiger—Rescue —Return to factory.
Chapter XVI. - A Jungle Tragedy
Varieties of winged game—News of a "big beat"—Get to camp— The marshes
country—"Hunter's Pot"—Charge of a wounded bull buffalo—A terrible
impalement—On the track—Difficult country—Slow and dangerous
tracking—Indications of our quarry —An unsuccessful day—A bad night—News
with the dawn— Resume our quest—Horrible signs—Sickening gusts—A ghastly
sight—Close of the tragedy—The funeral pyre.
Chapter XVII. - "A Day at the Ducks."
Fresh sensations at every footstep—The endless procession to the
water—Daybreak—The annual exodus begins—The Kutmullea Pokra—The first
shot-—What a commotion!—'lank shooting— A good bag for the pot—The river
banks—River scenery- -What variety of life!—Shoot an alligator—A
miss—entangled in a Rahur Khet—Hornets—A sudden and unwelcome rencontre--A
lucky escape—In the Oude jungles—Abundance of big game— A quiet saunter
through the forest—The coolies give news of nil-ghai—Muster the coolies for
a beat—Take up a good position— Jungle sights and sounds—Sound of the
distant beaters—My first nilghai—Sudden appearance of a bull rhino — A
glorious prize indeed!—Measurement.
Chapter XVIII. - In the Wilds of Oude.
New surroundings—Waste land grants—A forest Alsatia—Pioneer work—The
bungalow and its environments—My pets—An outpost near the Sarda River—
Reducing chaos to order—Surveying the country—A likely spot for tiger—Send
Juggroo for the elephant—A sudden interruption—A roar and a panic—The young
tiger charges—A picture of savage grace—Lucky escape and fortunate
shot—Another surprise—Advent of the elephant —Preparing to beat—Mutee
refuses—More elephants needed— Renew the beat the next day—Forming line—A
plucky charge—A stampede--The coolies refuse—Trying it single-handed— Once
more to the charge—A hit!--The tigress turns tail—A foolish
resolve—-Following the tigress—"A dry and weary wilderness"—Cross the Saida-
-Intense excitement -A stern chase- In a dangerous fix—Hopelessly lost—"No
sign of life or water" —Deadly thirst—Delirium—I am deserted - A terrible
night - Digging for water—Unconsciousness—Found by the searchers.
Chapter XIX. - Incidents of the "Big Beat".
News from the military—Arrangements for grazing commissariat
elephants—Advent of a jolly party—News of big game - An imposing
procession—The start—The country—Lagging behind —A sudden apparition—"A
Sambur, by Jove!!"—Only a Swamp deer after all—Points of difference--We
proceed down the river—A likely spot for game—A sudden diversion—The
monkey's warning—A hurried consultation—Briggs left on the watch—Grows
impatient—Determines to reconnoitre—A soliloquy —A wary stalk—"A sight that
sets his ears a tingling"—"Angry green eyes glaring"—Bang!—A miss—A shot and
a charge simultaneously—Bullet and teeth both "get home"—Poor Briggs carried
home—After the cubs next day—The "old General" in charge—Discovery and
capture of the cubs—A likely spot for leopard--Gopal on the track—"Not one
but two leopards"— They will not break—Halt for tiffin and send for
fireworks - One more try—The end of a memorable day.
Chapter XX. - Twenty-Four Hours in a Living
Tomb.
Native and European ideas of sport contrasted—Illustrations— Pitfalls—How
formed—A morning tour of inspection—Prepare for pea-fowl—Method of the
sport—Start a herd of spotted deer —Off for a stalk—Noonday heat and
stillness—An anxious wait — Death of the stag—Wending homewards—A
treacherous path —Hidden pitfalls—A sudden shock—Miraculous escape—Happy
issue—Visit the "old General"—His camp levee—A yarn after tiffin-—"The
General" takes a trip north after tiger—A rascally groom-—Trapped in a pit
of miry clay—Caged with a cobra—A terrible fight for life—Reaction—Breaking
of the monsoon—A new danger—Doomed to be drowned like a rat in a hole—Rescue
at the eleventh hour-—A parting tribute to the glad old days and the gallant
and true old comrades—A few parting words— Conclusion.
Chapter XXI. - A Chatter on Guns.
Remarks on guns—How to cure skins—Different recipes—Conclusion.
Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier
CONTENTS
Chapter I.
Province of Behar—Boundaries—General description — District of Chumparun—Mooteeharree—The
town and lake—Native houses —The Planters' Club—Segoulie.
Chapter II.
My first charge—How we get our lands—Our .borne farm—System of
farming—Collection of rents—The planter's duties.
Chapter III.
How to get our crop—The "Dangurs"—Farm servants and their duties — Kassee
Rai — Hoeing — Ploughing — "Oustennie"— Coolies at work—Sowing—Difficulties
the plant has to contend with—Weeding.
Chapter IV.
Manufacture of Indigo — Loading the vats — Beating — Boiling, straining, and
pressing—Scene in the Factory—Fluctuation of produce—Chemistry of Indigo.
Chapter V.
Parewah factory—A "Bobbery Pack"—Hunt through a village after a cat—The
pariah dog of India—Fate of "Pincher"—Rampore bound—Persian greyhound—Caboolee
dogs—A jackal bunt— Incidents of the chase.
Chapter VI.
Fishing in India—Hereditary trades—The boatmen and fishermen of India—Their
villages—Nets—Modes of fishing—Curiosities relating thereto—Catching an
alligator with a book—Exciting capture—Crocodiles—Shooting an
alligator—Death of the man-eater.
Chapter VII.
Native superstitions—Charming a bewitched woman—Exorcising ghosts from a
field—Witchcraft—The witchfinder or "Ojah"— Influence of fear—Snake
bites—How to cure them—How to discover a thief—Ghosts and their habits—The "Haddick
" or native bone-setter—Cruelty to criminals by natives.
Chapter VIII.
Our annual race meet—The arrivals—The camps—The "ordinary" —The
course—"They're off"—The race— The steeple-chase— Incidents of the meet—The
ball.
Chapter IX.
Pig-sticking in India—Varieties of boar—Their size and height— Ingenious
mode of capture by the natives—The "Batan" or buffalo herd—Pigs
charging—Their courage and ferocity—Destruction of game—A close season for
game.
Chapter X.
Kuderent jungle—Charged by a pig—The biter bit—"Mac" after the big boar—The
horse for pig-sticking—The line of bearers— The boar breaks —"Away!
Away!"—First spear—Pig-sticking at Poeprah—The old "lungra" or cripple—A
boar at bay— Hurrah for pig-sticking!
Chapter XI.
The sal forests—The jungle goddess—The trees in the jungle—Appearance of the
forests—Birds—Varieties of parrots—A "beat" in the forest - The "skekarry"—Mehrman
Singh and his gun— The Banturs, a jungle tribe of wood-cutter—Their habits—A
village feast—We beat for deer—Habits of the spotted deer— Waiting for the
game—Mehrman Singh gets drunk—Our bag— Tea-fowl and their habits—How to
shoot them—Curious custom of the Nepaulese—How Juggroo was tricked, and His
revenge.
Chapter XII.
The leopard—How to shoot him - Gallant encounter with a wounded one
—Encounter with a leopard in a Dak bungalow—Pat shoots two leopards—Effects
of the Express bullet—The "Pirwah Purrub," or annual festival of
huntsmen—The Hindoo Ryot— Rice-Planting and harvest—Poverty of the ryot—His
apathy —Village fires—Want of sanitation.
Chapter XIII.
Description of a native village—Village functionaries—The barber Bathing
habits—The village well—The school—The children— The village bazaar - The
landowner and his dwelling—The "Putwarrie" or village accountant — The
blacksmith — The "Punchayiet" or village jury system—Our legal system in
India —Remarks on the administration of justice.
Chapter XIV.
A native village continued—The watchman or "chowkeydar"—The temple —
Brahmins—Idols—Religion—Humility of the poorer classes—Their low
condition—Their apathy—The police—Their extortions and knavery —An instance
of police rascality—Corruption of native officials—The Hindoo unfit for
self-government.
Chapter XV.
Jungle wild fruits—Curious method of catching quail—Quail nets —Quail caught
in a blacksmith's shop—Native wrestling—The trainer—How they train for a
match—Rules of wrestling—Grips - A wrestling match—Incidents of the
struggle—Description of a match between a Brahmin and a blacksmith—Sparring
for the grip—The blacksmith has it—The struggle — The Brahmin getting the
worst of it—Two to one on the little 'un!—The Brahmin plays the waiting
game, turns the tables and the blacksmith—Remarks on wrestling.
Chapter XVI.
Indigo seed growing--Seed buying and buyers—Tricks of sellers— Tests for
good seed - The threshing-floor—Seed cleaning and packing—Staff of servants—Despatching
the bags by boat—The "Pooneah" or rent day—Purneah planters—Their
hospitality— The rent day a great festival—Preparation—Collection of rents—
Feast to retainers—The reception in the evening—Tribute—Old customs-
Improvisatores and bards—Nautches—Dancing and music—The dance of the Dangurs—Jugglers
and itinerary showmen—"Bara Roopes," or actors and mimics.—Their different
styles of acting.
Chapter XVII.
The Koosee jungles—Ferries—Jungle roads—The rhinoceros—We go to visit a
neighbour—We lose our way and get belated—We fall into a quicksand—No
ferryboat—Camping out on the sand— Two tigers close by—We light a fire—The
boat at last arrives— Crossing the stream—Set fire to the boatman's hut—Swim
the horses—They are nearly drowned—We again lose our way in the jungle—The
towing path, and how boats are towed up the river —We at last reach the
factory—News of rhinoceros in the morning—Off we start, but arrive too
late—Death of the rhinocerus—His dimensions—Description—Habits—Rhinoceros in
Nepaul—The old "Major Captan"—Description of Nepaulese scenery—Immigration
of Nepaulese—Their fondness for fish— They eat it putrid—Exclusion of
Europeans from Nejtaul-— Resources of the country—Must sooner or later be
opened up — Influences at work to elevate the people—Planters and factories,
chief of these—Character of the planter—His claims to consideration from
Government.
Chapter
XVIII.
The tiger—His habitat—Shooting on foot—Modes of shooting—A tiger hunt on
foot—The scene of the hunt —The heat—Incidents of the hunt—Fireworks—The
tiger charges—The elephant bolts— The tigress will not break—We kill a
half-grown cub—Try again for the tigress—Unsuccessful—Exaggerations in tiger
stories— My authorities—The brothers S.—Ferocity and structure of the
tiger—His devastations—His frame-work, teeth, &c.—A tiger at bay—His
unsociable habits—Fight between tiger and tigress —Young tigers—Power and
strength of the tiger—Examples— His cowardice—Charge of a wounded
tiger—Incidents connected with wounded tigers—A spined tiger—Boldness of
young tigers —Cruelty—Cunning—Night scenes in the jungle—Tiger killed by a
wild boar—His cautious habits—General remarks.
Chapter XIX.
The tiger's mode of attack—The food he prefers—Varieties of prey—
Examples—What he eats first—How to tell the kill of a tiger-Appetite
fierce—Tiger choked by a bone—Two varieties of tiger —The royal
Bengal—Description—The hill tiger—His description—The two compared—Length of
the tiger— How to measure tigers—Measurements—Comparison between male and
female — Number of young at a birth—The young cubs—Mother teaching.cubs to
kill—Education and progress of the young tiger— Wariness and cunning of the
tiger—Hunting incidents showing their powers of concealment—Tigers taking to
water—Examples —Swimming powers—Caught by floods—Story of the Soonder-bund
tigers.
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 houdah—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.
Chapter XXI.
Howdahs and howdah-ropes—Mussulman custom- Killing animals for
food—Mysterious appearance of natives when an animal is killed—Fastening
dead tigers to the pad—Present mode wants improving—Incident illustrative of
this—Dangerous to go close to wounded tigers—Examples—Footprints of
tigers—Call of the tiger—Natives and their powers of description—now to beat
successfully for tiger—Description of a beat—-Disputes among the
shooters—Awarding tigers—Cutting open the tiger—Native idea about the liver
of the tiger—Signs of a tiger's presence in the jungle—Vultures—Do they
scent their quarry or view it?— A vulture carrion feast.
Chapter XXII.
We start for a tiger hunt on the Nepaul frontier—Indian scenery near the
boarder—Lose our way—Cold night—The river by night—Our boat and
boatmen—Tigers calling on the bank—An anxious moment—Fire at and wound the
tigress—Reach campj—The Nepaulee's adventure with a tiger—The old Major—It's
appearance and manners—The pompous Jemadar—Nepaulese proverb—Firing the
jungle—Start a tiger and shoot him— Another in front—Appearance of the fires
by night—The tiger escapes—Too dark to follow up—Coolie shot by mistake
during a former hunt.
Chapter XXIII.
We resume the boat—The hog-deer—Nepaulese villages—Village granaries—Tiger
in front—A hit! a hit!—Following up the wounded tiger—Find him dead—Tiffin
in the village—The Patair jungle—Search for tiger—Gone away!—An elephant
steeplechase in pursuit—Exciting chase—The Morung jungle— Magnificent
scenery—Skinning the tiger—-Incidents on tiger hunting.
Chapter XXIV.
Camp of the Nepaulee chief—Quicksands—Elephants crossing rivers—Tiffin at
the Nepaulee camp—We beat the forest for tiger—Shoot a young tiger—Red ants
in the forest—Bhowras or ground bees—The ursus labialis or long-lipped bear—Recross
the stream—Florican—Stag running the gauntlet of flame—Oar bag—Start for
factory—Remarks on elephants—Precautions useful for protection from the sun
in tiger shooting—The puggree —Cattle breeding in India, and wholesale
deaths of cattle from disease—Nathpore—Ravages of the river—Mrs. Gray, an
old resident in the jungle—Description of her surroundings.
Chapter XXV.
Exciting jungle scene—The camp—All quiet—-Advent of the cowherds—A tiger
close by—Proceed to the spot—Encounter between tigress and buffaloes—Strange
behaviour of the elephant—Discovery and capture of four cubs—Joyful return
to camp—Death of the tigress—Night encounter with a leopard— The haunts of
the tiger and our shooting grounds.
You might also like to read his
Tirhoot Rhymes which is in pdf format.
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