HE GUARDS THE RICE FIELDS OF NAN The natives hold that the evil spirits must fear this dragon, since the fields he guards are among the most fertile in all Nan (see, also, page 240).

"Mr. Crooked!" That was a name well known in that little jungle world. Mr. Crooked was one of the famous maneaters of the district, his crimes and his trail famed and unmistakable, for one forepaw turned in, and the mark of that crooked foot was often seen where some hapless native had been killed and eaten. Next day the cage arrived, having been brought up the river. But the villagers laughed at it and said it would not hold a big rabbit. Indeed, it was too weak. But we strengthened it with a solid lining of small logs; then jammed its door against the door of the trap and lashed cage and trap together.

It was our purpose to open both doors and transfer the tiger from the trap to the cage. The villagers, however, put little

trust in this arrangement, and when we were ready to open the doors the only village men near us were well up high

trees.

TRANSFERRING THE TIGER FROM TRAP
TO CAGE

Collier stood at one side of the doors, I at the other, guns ready. Muang and Tahn stood on top of cage and trap, respectively. At a word they lifted the two doors.

We waited, tense. Nothing happened. We waited longer. Still nothing happened. Finally, I put down my gun, picked up a lighted torch and thrust it into the back of the trap. At that, the tiger leaped forward the length of the trap and straight through into the cage.

Although nominally followers of Buddha, the Laos of Siam are primarily spirit worshipers. Because of its great strength, imposing appearance, and the sinister influence it exerts on their daily life, the tiger is supposed to possess a spirit and in some instances is worshiped on this

account.

PREPARING A SURPRISE FOR THE LORD OF THE JUNGLE

Tiger traps are made of stout logs driven into the ground and lashed together. A dog, goat, or pig is placed inside in a smaller inclosure as a bait (see text, page 240). The tiger steps on a treadle as he enters the trap, thereby releasing a drop door and making himself a prisoner.

Down came the doors. Mr. Crooked was caged.

It was night when, by torchlight, we bore the cage down to the river, swung on poles resting on the shoulders of as many men as could catch hold. They lowered the cage into the center of one of the boats. It just squeezed in, for these boats are but long canoes, hollowed out of big trees.

We shouted to the villagers to catch us another tiger and started off.

It was pleasant now; our boys had brought little camp chairs for us, and Collier and I were ridiculously luxurious and happy, sitting there with Mr. Crooked safe behind us in his strengthened cage, as the current and boatmen swung us swiftly along.

MR. CROOKED STRIKES A BLOW FOR

FREEDOM

Then the wind rose, rain came sweeping across us, thunder and lightning. A proper

The deadfall is the most terrible of all weapons used by the natives against jungle animals. It is made of heavy logs into which are thrust
scores of sharp bamboo stakes. When tiger or leopard goes under the deadfall for the bait, a support is released and the heavy logs descend and
impale the prowler.

JUNGLE ROYALTY ROARS DISAPPROVAL Ferocious by nature and possessed of enormous strength and agility, the tiger is universally feared in Siam. Wherever Europeans and their highpowered, accurate rifles have not penetrated, this formidable beast holds its own.