BIKANEER AND THE GREAT DESERT. 265 



being of different shape and plan from all the others ; 

 but the whole forming several winding streets inter- 

 spersed by trees. The inhabitants differed in appear- 

 ance from those of other parts of India, more resem- 

 bling the Arab tribes, as before stated, with finely 

 moulded limbs and features. A kind of a large gate- 

 way had been prepared for our reception, with a 

 charpoy and some firewood. It formed an archway 

 over one of the streets, and the opposite portion of it 

 was large enough to contain my horse as well as to 

 afford sleeping accommodation for some of the men ; 

 while the result of having sent the armed followers 

 on ahead of me was that a plentiful supply of milk and 

 butter was awaiting my arrival. 



Next morning I started for the chase, taking the 

 two camels with several of the men, and a local guide, 

 and riding the grey horse myself. Before we had 

 gone far I found that my two capacious water bottles 

 had been forgotten, filled with weak tea, and so 

 necessary in such a country as this. This was soon 

 remedied, and before long a herd of deer were seen 

 in the centre of a large field. Halting the horse 

 behind a thick mimosa out of sight, and leaving one 

 of the camel-drivers to hold it, I advanced on foot with 

 my rifle, with the two camels, keeping them carefully 

 between myself and the herd. Instead of approaching 

 directly towards the game, the drivers were directed 

 by signs to pass the animals at a distance of 150 

 yards on the far side of the hedge of thorn, at which 

 spot I seated myself on the ground out of sight of the 



