62 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN 



said to be a favourite spot for the thirsty folk of the 

 jungle, and on inspecting the ground one evening 

 about two hours before sundown it was evident 

 from the tracks of all sorts of animals that it was 

 well frequented. My shikaree and myself pro- 

 ceeded to rig up a small shelter, in which we took 

 up our position. The first arrivals were four 

 peacocks. So silently had they come forward, 

 apparently taking advantage of every little bit of 

 cover, that they seemed to burst on our vision as if 

 they had risen from a hole in the ground. As they 

 approached the water, only moving a few steps at 

 a time, they were the embodiment of alertness and 

 suspicion. When they got to the edge of the pool 

 only two at a time dipped their heads to drink. 

 Whether this plan was by arrangement I cannot 

 say, but when two were drinking the other two 

 scanned the view in every direction. When they 

 had drunk their fill they moved away in the same 

 stealthy and cautious manner. 



The next to visit the pool were a herd of about 

 twelve wild pigs. As they descended a game 

 path from the top of the nullah leading to the 

 water, I had a good view of them as they moved 

 in single file, a few steps at a time, then a simul- 

 taneous halt, then a few steps forward — every 

 motion depicting intense caution, trusting, I should 

 say, more to their sense of hearing than of sight. 



