330 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA. 



into tjbe Narbada valley, congregating at that time, 

 when the great mutiny had for some years prevented 

 their molestation, in very great numbers. 



I have marched up this valley, on my way to explore 

 the Sal forests in the eastern part of the province. But 

 want of time then prevented my lingering to shoot. 

 The year before joining the Forest Department, however, 

 I had made an excursion up this valley during the hot 

 season ; and while cantoned at Jubbulpiir, made many 

 excursions through the hilly regions surrounding the 

 valley. Several sorts of game which have not yet been 

 much mentioned were then met with in great abun- 

 dance ; and before taking my readers towards the Sal 

 forests I will devote a little space to these excursions. 



I was then a good deal of a "griffin," and was 

 obliged to rely much on the assistance of native shikaris 

 in finding game. The chief of these about Jubbulpur 

 was an arch-villain who haunted the purlieus of the 

 cantonment messes, and hawked about his news of 

 panthers, bears, deer, etc., to the highest bidder. I 

 don't think I ever heard his name. He was always 

 called " Bamanjee," or the " Brahman," for such was 

 his caste. He knew intimately every inch of the jungle 

 for twenty miles around, and had sons and nephews in 

 close relations with the tigers and other wild animals in 

 all directions. He was thoroughly acquainted with all 

 the different sorts of game and their habits, and really 

 could, when he chose, furnish first-rate sport to his 

 clients. But he was by nature a rogue of the first 

 water, generally taking his information all round the 

 station for offers : and taking; out the hiohest bidder to 

 a hunt which almost invariably ended, through some 

 perverse accident, in the escape without scathe of the 

 object of pursuit, which he would very likely bring in 



