UP A TREE IN THE JUNGLE 191 



his great weight so to bear, that at last his adver- 

 sary was forced back a few inches. Another effort 

 and another, then gathering himself together, he 

 rushed the other back and the latter's hind legs giv- 

 ing way under the pressure, he was thrown on his 

 side and the other was upon him, butting unmerci- 

 fully with his short, sharp-pointed horns. The old 

 bull was beaten, but gathering himself together he 

 recovered his legs and disappeared amidst a scene of 

 the wildest excitement; men shouting themselves 

 hoarse and otherwise expressing their delight. The 

 excitement did not last more than a few minutes, 

 then everybody quietly discussed what was held to 

 be a great fight. It lasted about twenty minutes. 

 The beaten bull was brought back again but as 

 he declined to face his late adversary, he was led 

 away, the bets were paid, and every one settled down 

 again to wait for the next fight. 



On my return from the round-up, for several 

 years I did not venture into the jungle for 

 more than a day or two at a time. My fever and 

 dysentery had become chronic. I realized that I 

 had too often disregarded the warning of the 

 doctors and that, if I had another bad attack of 

 illness, far away from medical attention, I should 

 have to leave the country or might possibly die be- 

 fore I got way. My animal business in Singapore 

 had grown so large that it gave me plenty to do, 

 and I left to my agents the work of collecting. 

 Through my house in Orchard Road passed a 



