HUNTING IN THE INDIES 201 



and porcupine, both of which are very dangerous to 

 hounds. 



When I arrived there I found there was a scratch 

 pack of beagles already in existence. The modus 

 operandi was as follows : The hounds were trencher- 

 fed, one or two being kept at each sportsman's 

 bungalow. On the days fixed for hunting, the 

 sportsmen arrived at the meet, each with his 

 hound or hounds, and — his gun. The hounds were 

 then thrown into cover, and the sportsmen took 

 post in various places. If a hare or " red - deer " 

 was seen, it was promptly shot. The effect of 

 these proceedings was that the hounds were essen- 

 tially self - hunting, and sometimes one sports- 

 man, sometimes another, carried the horn. The 

 hunting days varied, but I regret to say Sunday 

 was always one — being the only day the civil ser- 

 vants, bankers, lawyers, &c., who formed the field, 

 could be sure of getting away. I recollect that this 

 fact aroused the wrath of the Archdeacon, who 

 preached at us one Sunday. But I am afraid even 

 this didn't alter the fixture. 



From the first, all my sporting feelings were 

 opposed to the combination of shooting and hunting, 

 which D^ave the hare no chance. But as I was the 

 junior subscriber, it was difficult for me to move the 

 whole body of members. I commenced by volunteer- 

 ing to hunt the hounds. The offer was gladly 

 accepted, as it was obvious the huntsman had the 

 least chance of getting a shot. Somewhat to their 

 surprise, at the next and all subsequent meets I 

 appeared without a gun. My pleasure was the hunt- 

 ing, and if one of the guns outside rolled over the 

 hunted hare I only regretted the fact. But it often 



