118 INDIAN BIG GAME 



he was done for, that I made for where he had 

 last been seen. Imagine my disgust when, after 

 some precious moments had been wasted, one of 

 the natives pointed to him a jolly good hundred 

 yards off, walking slowly up the hill, and just 

 about to enter a dense shola. I exchanged my 

 12-bore Explora for the -370 and let rip, when, 

 with a mighty bound, he plunged forward, and 

 as he entered the forest I gave him the left. 

 There was no doubt of blood being a guide now ! 

 Foreseeing, though, that there might be delay, 

 I sent back for my lunch, and sat down to eat 

 my breakfast meanwhile. 



We followed the bison the whole day, during 

 which time he stuck to dense, almost impenetrable, 

 jungle. This made tracking very tedious and 

 tiring. 



He broke from us twice, but attempted no 

 further mischief, although within a few yards 

 of us each time ; the crashing of the under- 

 growth alone made us aware of his having broken 

 away. 



At sunset there was nothing for it but to 

 return home, fearing there was another heavy 

 day's work to be done before I could count him 

 mine. 



On the third day I was attended by several 

 Moplas, armed with butcher knives, keen for the 

 meat. These Mahommedans had to slash the 

 expiring animal thoroughly, in strict observance 

 of their customary religious rites, as otherwise 

 it would be unclean food. They were made to 

 keep well in the background, while I and my 

 trusty Kurjas followed the tracks. 



