296 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



whence the name Swamp deer, but not so in the 

 Central Provinces. In this region they are to be 

 found in the open glades morning and evening, 

 retiring as soon as the sun gets up into the forest 

 during the heat of the day. 



Some years ago I found myself in one of the 

 protected forests of Mandla, having a pass from the 

 forest officer. I was camped at a place called Kanak- 

 hesli. I had done a longish day's march from 

 Mandla, and had just time to pitch my camp before 

 darkness set in. It was the month of January, the 

 climate was perfect, a slight frost at night and warm 

 sun by day. As I sat in my tent and smoked a pipe 

 after a good dinner not a sound broke the silence of 

 the forest. Suddenly I heard a call I had never heard 

 before ; it was more like the latter part of a donkey's 

 bray than anything else. I called to my hunter, 

 "Puddoo, what is that?" " Barasingh, Sahib," 

 (" Swamp deer, sir "), he said. Then the chorus began : 

 the bark of the kakur (barking deer), the belling of 

 the cheetal (spotted deer), the trumpet note of the 

 sambur, as he passed by and winded his enemy, man. 

 Then I heard another sound I had never heard 

 before ; it was more like the striking of an axe into 

 a felled tree than anything else, and was repeated at 

 intervals. "What is that, Puddoo?" "A tiger, 

 Sahib, on the prowl." I lay awake a long time that 

 night, listening to this to me delightful music of 

 nature, hugging myself with the idea of meeting all 

 these beasts the next day. Just as I was dropping 

 off, however, I heard the most appalling row. 'Twas 



