P L A T E XIV.
SHOOTING A TIGER FROM A MOYCHAUN, OR PLATFORM.
W i i E . V E V K R a ligcr liiiii seized any person, bullock, &c. ihe information is
g e n e r a l l y eonveyocl expressly, oi\ at alt events, it is noi long before it is imp
a r l e d to scino sìiccarrie, in whom the nionruCtil event fails not to excite some
p l e a s u r e , arising from llie expoclalion of emolument. This is one of ihe few
a v o c a t i o n s to which persons fond of shooting, have rcconrse, (piitting their
h e r e d i t a r y business without encroaching on others, and without being in any
d e g r e e degraded. Tiie shccarric is a free occupation, open to all religions and
c h i s s c s ; though ordinarily its followers are not very remarkable for morality
o r sobriety. Nevertheless they seem to possess a certain portion of esteem
a m o n g the inhal)ilanLs aronnd them, and being in many respects useful, are
r a t h e r protected than discouraged. They are generally e.vcellent in their prof
e s s i o n , being good marksmen, and very expert in various kinds of poaching.
T h e y study the habits, and arc well acquainted with the seasons of every
s p e c i c s of game, of which they destroy vast (jnantlties. Such characters would
in this country soon come under the notice of justice ; but in India, wher e no
laws exist to curb them, ai id vA-herc their exertions arc rather deemed beneficial
t h a n furtive, liaving abundance of practice, they for the most part arrive at
a wonderful precision of aim, and arc in general not only tolerated but
e n c o u r a g e d .
W i t h respect to wha t the xhecarries kill, cxcept in the vicinity of European
s l a l i u n s , it is of very little value. The Hindoos do not eat llesh ; and as to the
M u s s u l m a n s , they ar c not disposed, in general , to touch game, on account of its
not having boon bullolcd, or killed in the regular manner, by a true follower of
i h e i r failh ; who should, at the moment of incision, consecrate the flesh by
m e a n s of a prayer and benediction. The less rigid, however, consider game as
b e i n g , from the manner in Avliich it must of necessily be in general ae(|uirc<l,
e x e m p t in a certain measure from such exact ceremony; and among ihe
H i n d o o s there are some casts, or sects, that do not hesitate to eat game of all
k i n d s . Farther, the lowest casts of Hindoos, su eli as the choomars, the hallacores,
&e. are privileged to eat every thing they please, wi thout derogation to
t h e i r characters, which are held in the most supreme contempt by the superior
classes.
H e n c e the shecai'rie may always find some persons ready lo partake of his
d e a d game ; and when his good fortune may enable him lo obtain a live deer,
&e. Avliich by b leeding under the sacred knife, is rendered lawful provision, his
p o c k e t is replenished with a f e w auuax, or eventually a whol e rupee, eipial to
h a l f a c rown, and lie not only eats in gaiety, but p robabl y displays his liberality
a t the distiller's.
T h e death of a tiger is a matter of loo much importance to be treated with
indiiTerence. The Honourable East India Company, with the view to prevent
i n t e r r u p t i o n lo the common courses of business, and to remove any obstacle to
g e n e r a l and safe communication, bestow a donation of ten rupees, equal to
t w e n t y - f i v e shillings, for every tiger killed within their provinces. The Europ
e a n s at the several stations situated where the depredations of tigers are
f r e q u e n t , generally double the reward. Besides the above allurements!, the
s a l e of the skin, claws, &c. often amounts to nearly as much more ; forming
i n the aggregate a sum which, in a country where an ordinary person may
b o a r d , lodge, aiul clothe himself comfortably for ten shillings monthly, may
b e considered quite a fortune.
U n d e r sucii a forcible temptation the shecarrie repairs to the place; and,
b e i n g guided by the peasants best ac(|uainted Avilh the jungl e wherein the
t i g e r is concealed, he proceeds to scarch for the carcase. This, however, is a
Inisiness of some danger, and shouhl never be done unlil about an hour after
t h e act of depredat ion. Were ihe tiger to he followed too suddenly, he would
not fail lo at tack such as might a))proach to distur b him ; whereas, if allowed
t o finish his meal, he retires glut ted, and in a manner inebriated, to some deeps
h a d e d , reclu.se spot, where he speedily falls into a heavy sleep, in which he
f r e q u e n t l y contiaues until digestion is perfected, when he arises refreshed,
riii.licU.Hii s.aascprT ir'ioo5iivEd--fOciiu-.[Viii..ji»iioiOi>t.jrii.v