IN BURMAH 333 



In country which is seldom disturbed, and where 

 the undergrowth is thick, the spoor probably leads 

 up a well-defined game-path, but the Karen will keep 

 an eye on the tracks, and should he sight the bison 

 unexpectedly, caution in taking the shot, which is 

 pretty sure to be at close quarters in these dense 

 jungles, is very necessary. A tree behind which you 

 can reload or change weapons is a harbour of refuge 

 much to be desired in dealing with bison under these 

 conditions, for there is a larger element of luck in 

 this business than in most forms of sport : you may 

 kill or disable with your first two barrels, but as a 

 clear shot is almost impossible to obtain without 

 betraying your presence take the first decent chance 

 you can get. A bison startled by the sudden appear- 

 ance of man at close quarters may take the offensive, 

 and you cannot afford to waive any advantage. If, 

 before he sees or winds you, you can fire and wound 

 him, the report or the pain, or both, seem to make 

 him lose his head. A bull, hit in the neck before he 

 saw me, plunged forward, wheeled round, and, dash- 

 ing across the sandy path whence I had fired, pulled 

 up abruptly on the farther side of a clump of bushes, 

 and stood there snorting and blowing. In crossing 

 the path he passed within three x>r four paces, 

 and his rush actually stirred the hanging wisps of 

 smoke. Reloading with as little noise as possible, I 

 stole round the bushes, over which the ridge of his 

 black back was just visible, and saw him standing 

 with outstretched muzzle looking sharply from side 

 to side as he snuffed the air. As he was tail on, I 



