COMMENCE A LONG HUNT. 263 



claret cup, the day's enjoyments ended with the post- prandial cheroots, and 

 we turned in with feelings of charity for all men. 



P. and I commenced the hunt of another old bull at the foot of the 

 Billiga-runguns on the last day of his leave, but I had to finish the chase 

 alone. We found his tracks in a gorge in the early morning, and after two 

 hours' tracking we got near him, but he winded us and made off without 

 giving lis a chance. After waiting for an hour to let him settle, we tracked 

 him for some miles further, when he again winded us. He was lying in a 

 ravine, and we heard him crash away. This was bad, as it was likely he 

 would now go far after being twice disturbed, as single bulls are often very 

 cunning and go long distances before halting. However, there was nothing 

 for it but perseverance, and though the day was warm we followed till late 

 in the afternoon. Here P. mounted the elephant, whilst I thought I would 

 just look through a small bamboo-cover near, where it was possible the bull 

 might have stopped. Hurrah ! he had lain down in it, and though he had 

 gone on again, it was evident he was not suspicious, as he had loitered, so 

 Gorrava and I pushed along in pursuit. At last Gorrava pointed in breath- 

 less haste to the bull walking leisurely through tree-jungle before us. What 

 an exciting moment it was after our long hunt ! I sank down for a 

 moment to rest, as I was breathless and shaking with the haste we had 

 made. The bull was eighty yards away, and his huge stern seemed to 

 fill the space between the trees as he stalked along. We were meditating 

 a closer advance when he winded us, and with a startled toss of his head 

 he set off at a heavy trot, and though I ran my best after him for a long- 

 way, Gorrava carrying my rifle, he distanced us, and we had to stop. 



However, I was not dissatisfied with the failure, and when I reflected 

 on the joys which the possession of this redoubtable beast would bring, I 

 felt equal to any exertion in compassing his downfall. We had done our 

 utmost, and I had refrained from a risky shot, which was in itself a satis- 

 faction. As he had not been fired at he probably would not go up the 

 hills, and we determined to have him before long. Gorrava swore, touch- 

 ing the ground as Ins witness, that if I would persevere he would never let 

 the bull escape, even if it " dug a hole and buried itself." 



Next day I could not continue the chase as I had to accompany P. to 

 Chamraj-Nugger. I was heartily sorry to part with so good a companion 

 and sportsman. His last words to me were to " follow up the bull ; " and 

 the day after, I returned in the evening to my camp at Yerlsariga. Gorrava 

 had all the information about the bull's recent movements cut and dry : 

 he had followed him the second day and had found him lying down, and on 



