P L A T E XII.
THE TIGER PROWLING THROUGH A VILLAGE.
H I T I I E K T O our attention lias been cliiefly confined to animals whieh, excepti
n g the rliinoceros. may l)e said to be passive, and. indeed, to avoid all interc
o u r s e willi the hnniau species. We now enter on a branch of sport ing replete
•ivilh (hiiigcr, and of real iiilcrost, even to sucli as do not par take of tlic active
d i v e r s i o n s of the cliasc. Of such importance has the search for tigers, and their
c o n s c ( [ u e n t destruction, proved in some parts of Bengal, that large tracts of
c o u n t r y in a manner depopulated by their ravages, or by the apprehensions to
w l i i c h the proximity of such a scourge naturally nmst give birth, have, by pers
e v e r i n g exertion, been freed from iheir devastat ions; and, in lieu of being overr
u n uitli long grass and ])ramhles, have become rcmarkaljle for the stale of
c n l l i v a l i o n to ^vhich they liave been brought. Perhaps no part of the countrj'
e x l i i b i t s a more complete corroboration of this fact than the Cossind>azar Island;
w h i c h , though not excm])L from the evil, lias change d from a state of wilderness
to a rich display of agricul ture. A few patches of cover j'et remai n ; however,
t h o y cannot fail to be speedily annihilated, when perhaps a tiger may be as
g r e a t a rarity, as formerly it « a s an incessant object of terror.
T h i s hai)py revolution may be just l y attributed to a German named PAUL,
w h o was for many years employed as super intendant of the elephants stationed
a t Daudpore, generally from lifty to an hundred in number. This remarkable
man was about six feet two inches in lieight, his make was more than proport
i o n a b l y stout, and his disposition Avas completely indicative of the country
•\A h i c h gave liini birth. Nothing could ever rouse him to a state of merriment;
even admidsL the uproar of midnight festivity, of which he partook freely, but
w i t h o u t being aiTecled in the least by copious libations even of spirits, while
o t h e r s con l ined themselves to wine. PAUL woul d sit nearly silent, wi t h an unv
a r y i n g countenance, twirling his tluindjs, and occasionally volunteering with
a German song, delivered with closed eye.s, the thumbs still twirling, and with
o b v i o u s tokens of delight at the sound of his own voice; which, though not
ollVnsive, was by no means equal to his own opinion of its merits. PAUL never
took ollence; he was bent on making money, and his exertions were in the
e n d amjjly successful. He was ])ossessed of a coolness and presence of mind.
w h i c h gave hi m a wonder ful superiority in all mat ters relat ing to tiger-hunting.
H e rarely rode but on a bare pad, and ordinarily by himself, a rmed with an
o l d musquet , and furnished with a small pouch containing his powder and ball.
H e was, however, remarkably nice in the selection of e l e p h a n t s for this purpos e j
a n d as he was I'or many years in charge of such numbers, in which changes
w e r e perpetually made, from requisitions for service, and from n e w arrivals, we
m a y jus t l y conclude that he did not fail to keep himself well provided, by the
r e s e r v a t i o n of such as were, in his opinion, best qualified for his views; and,
i n d e e d , the instances which occurred within my own knowledge, fully satisfied
m e of the superiority of his discrimination.
T h e consciousness of his own corporeal powers as well as of the steadiness of
t h e animal that bore him, and the continual practice in which he lived, could
n o t fail to render PAUL successful; even had his disposi t ion been somewhat less
p h l e g m a t i c , and his mind less steady. Accordingly all wei-e governed by him,
w h e n after game ; for which he would search to a great distance, and would
p e r h a p s set off thi r t y or fort y miles, with as many elephants, on hearing of a
t i g e r having committed depredations. As to hog-hunting, PAUL thought it
b e n e a t h his not ice; and, as h e used to express himself, " left that to t h e boys."
I n d e e d , it was very rare to see him on a horse. His weight and disinclination
n o doubt were partly ihe causes of his rarel y taking to tlie saddle; but, as he
w a s a great dealer in elephants, and always had several in training for the
howduh, we may fairly conjecture that the display of such as were ready for
t h e market, was the motive which operated principally towards his riding
e l e p h a n t s on all occasions.
PAUL'S aims wer e at the head or the heart, and in general his shots were
well placed; rarely deviating many inches from ihe parts at which he levelled
his musquet. He charged very amply, and never missed of eilect for want of
p o w d e r . I once fired his piece, but the recoil hurt me severely, and exhibited
t h e diHerence between his feelings and mine !
, T I I O E H FROWLLIHFJ THHOUGI I A VULILATJJK , • I T -K" TRAVEESAKT W'OI^LARE.JE!^]^^
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