172 INDIAN BIG GAME 



which calls for no comment, except on the long 

 range at which I was compelled to fire. 



The country consisted of undulating forest- 

 clad downs culminating in heights of 5000 feet. 

 The grass and undergrowth were up to and above 

 a man's head in most places. 



The work was hard. Our two longest days 

 were 14 hours and 13j hours respectively. 



One day we started at 4.30 a.m., taking a 

 lamp to light us on our way and to frighten the 

 numerous wild elephant. 



After an hour's tracking we came on a small 

 party of four bison. But there was no good head 

 among them. Later we climbed a plateau, which 

 consisted of a small clearing of short verdant 

 grass on a rocky ridge. Below lay the deep black 

 valley whence we had climbed. Around us was the 

 dark primeval forest, with the mist-clad higher 

 summits rising from it as islands in a sea. The air 

 was keen. A wreath of flying mist encircled us. 



In front the ground fell steeply into a jungle 

 of big trees with an undergrowth of high grass 

 and straggling leafy shrubs. We came on the 

 herd almost at once, and saw a cow's head some 

 thirty yards off, but could not move for a quarter 

 of an hour. 



Mada, my head Sholaga tracker — brilliant in 

 eyesight, hearing, and tracking — surpassed himself. 

 Whenever the bison made a step or a noise he 

 glided forward, taking me with him. It was all 

 hand and knee work, putting aside any twig that 

 might make a noise. 



Once we pulled up with a bump within five 

 yards of a cow. She filled the horizon. We 



