84 INDIAN BIG GAME chap. 



certain point of the saddle, where we could get 

 a good view of the country. I handed my rifle 

 to my guide, so as to be hampered as little as 

 possible. When they finally disappeared, up 

 and off we went. How we did run ! At first 

 it was fairly easy going, partly down gradient to 

 a hollow, but the pace told on us when we had 

 to climb. At last we reached a point where 

 Kerta thought it was safe to cross cautiously and 

 crouching low. We took a careful survey of the 

 country behind, but saw nothing, so hastened on 

 to get a good view in front, but there was no sign 

 of our quarry. Kerta, absolutely blown, threw 

 himself on to the ground, saying he could go no 

 further, and, pointing to a small circle of shady 

 jungle, said that if the sambhur had not gone 

 right down hill towards the Naad, which was 

 unlikely, they must be in this patch. Taking 

 my rifle, I walked straight towards it as noise- 

 lessly as possible, but not attempting to conceal 

 myself, as I knew if the sambhur was lying up 

 there would be no attempt at budging until it 

 was clear I was making actually for the jungle. 

 I had only to cover a short distance which would 

 bring me within rifle range of any point from 

 which game might break. At last I got sufficiently 

 near, and stopped to listen ; hearing no sound, 

 I moved on a few steps, when I distinctly heard 

 the snap of a stick. This pulled me up short, 

 and next moment, hearing the rush of an animal, 

 I threw my rifle up, praying it might be the royal 

 head ; another second showed me that it was so, 

 and what a grand sight he presented as he swung 

 out with head in air ! Letting drive as he went 



