2t0 RIFLE AXD SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS. 



and with a long staff in his hand, he looked like an ancient 

 pilgrim. His son was killed by a tiger during the Duke of 

 Connaught's visit, but this does not seem to have damped 

 his love of sport. Shortly after our arrival, he appeared on 

 an elephant, followed by a cart carrying a wooden cage 

 containing the panther. This was put down some distance 

 off on the ground, then two men, climbing on the top of the 

 cage, piled up rugs and mats to hide themselves when the 

 panther came out. They drew up the door, and I think also 

 drew a sigh of relief, as the panther bounded away without 

 seeing them. He is allowed a long start, then Colonel Fraser 

 gives the signal, and all four riders race after him. We 

 follow more slowly on the elephants. 



Although the panther appeared only to amble aloDg the 

 ground, he goes quicker than one would fancy, and it was 

 some time before the riders overtook him. Alan was first 

 up, and speared him right through the body, but did not 

 touch a vital spot ; and the panther, crouching, gave two or 

 three tremendous bounds after his horse. Alan was riding a 

 clever little Arab, very omick on its legs, and although for a 

 minute the panther was so close I thought it would touch 

 the horse, he could not cpuite reach him, and slackening his 

 speed subsided into a lolloping canter again. Then Colonel 

 Fraser and Yar Singh came up and speared him ; and the 

 panther, apparently badly hurt, lay down on the ground 

 with his head raised, glaring all around. The sowar now 



