BUCK-SHOOTING IN THE MAIRWARRA 29 



we were not hungry, the iced claret -and -soda and 

 subsequent cheroot were pleasant enough, as was 

 the shade of the wild fig-trees we had halted under. 



Unfortunately, one of H 's bullocks was unfit to 



proceed, so for the rest of the day we had to work 

 together. We did not see anything for some time, 

 the herdsmen having driven their flocks over the 

 adjacent ground. Presently, however, we were some- 

 what surprised to hear a shot, and looking back we 

 saw a smart bullock-carriage moving parallel with us. 

 In a few minutes it halted again, and a white-clad 

 figure jumping out ran forward, pointing a gun at 

 something we could not see. However, he did not 

 get a shot, and presently the animal, whatever it 

 was, appeared, and made for a heap of rocks not far 

 from us. Neither of us could make out what it 

 was, but both agreed that if a wild animal, it was 

 one with which we were unacquainted. Presently 

 the sportsman came up to us, and turned out to be 

 a native Mohammedan gentleman. He informed us 

 that he was in pursuit of a mad dog, which had 

 bitten a number of cattle, and begged our help. 

 Accordingly we assisted him in beating out the 

 rocks, but saw no more of the dog. He then asked 

 us to come to his house, after which he would show 

 us where to find buck, and insisted on our occupying 

 his bullock-carriage whilst he walked beside us. 



Before long we arrived at a sort of square fort 

 profusely loopholed. A. gate between two flanking 

 towers was unbarred and we drove in. Here we 

 found the usual combination of display and dirt so 

 common among natives, being ushered into a dirty 

 room with some old furniture in it. As soon as we 

 decently could we suggested a fresh start, and the 



