200 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



brute convulsively ; up, and up ; then smash comes his 

 enormous bulk on the hillside. 



He was the biggest sambar I ever bagged. Forty-five 

 and a half inches ; very massive ; and an immense spread 

 of horn. Many a long day have I done in the jungle, 

 and many more I hope to do but when shall I see his 

 like again? 



Four stags and a lot of hinds had broken back in that 

 single beat, besides the big herd that came past me. And 

 the Korkus swore that almost any of the other many 

 favourite grounds in the valley would yield full as many 

 deer when beaten properly. Since that day I have not re- 

 visited Chondo. But it is there still, as good as ever ; and 

 I am keeping it up my sleeve as a shoot to be indulged in 

 at rare intervals. And, as a great treat, I may take a friend 

 there under an oath a terrible oath of inviolable 

 secrecy ; for Chondo is a paradise, and a paradise it must 

 remain. 



