376 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



"April 2$th. Got again on the bull's tracks, and near 

 Anantpur came on the place where he had been lying down. 

 Beyond this his tracks led to water, and then back into the 

 same stunted Shorea robusta (sal) jungle. All of a sudden 

 the tracker started back. I went in front and saw the buff 

 lying, as I thought, dead. I stepped back and looked at 

 him from another point of view. 'Oh,' says Boodoc, 

 ' he's dead ! ' I made a noise. Still no movement. I 

 thought of firing into him as he lay, but unfortunately did 

 not, making a ' cluck ' with my tongue instead. Up sprang 

 the buff and darted off at no end of a pace. We followed 

 I was so astonished that it was some little time before I 

 could fire, and then the ball did not seem to have any effect. 

 I ran some distance, and then getting on my horse kept the 

 bull in sight. He stopped on seeing me, and came at me^ 

 but I easily trotted out of his way. The bull then dis- 

 appeared. Boodoo said he had gone back. We then went 

 round the nasty thick jungle, and we couldn't see well into 

 it. I then thought of going in on horseback and seeing if 

 I could find the bull. I did so. It was very windy and very 

 hot. At last I heard a rustle, and, looking up, saw the 

 brute coming down on us. I was walking towards him, 

 and he was in full rush at me. I wheeled round my horse, 

 he also, being frightened, aiding me in doing so, and so 

 hoped to escape ; but before my horse got off the bull 

 reached him, and, butting, threw him forward on his knees ! 

 The good beast did not fall however, but recovered himself, 

 and with one vigorous kick behind dashed forward and 

 brought himself and his master out of the scrimmage safe. 

 At one moment I had thought it was all up with both of 

 us. I lost my hat. The bull was then followed up and 

 finally bagged. In the afternoon a bear came rushing 

 along at a great pace ; but I bowled him over, and when 

 my gun and rifle were both empty another came." 



"April 2%lh. When towards M gaon saw two 



sambar, but no shot. Farther on came on a herd of ten 



