HUNTING & SHOOTING IN CEYLON 



emerged on the bank of the western branch of the river, 

 and got down to the lovely white sand cast up under the 

 bank, when two of the Moormen, who had preceded us 

 and made their way down to the water's edge, suddenly 

 stopped, looked up river, and then turned, beckoning to 

 me. I hastened to them, and they pointed out, to my 

 astonishment, a fine spotted buck all alone, feeding, on 

 the opposite bank of the river, in a small open space 

 between the river and the big forest bordering it. I 

 hastily pulled the men out of sight, ran back, told 

 Cameron and the Mudaliyar, and then nipped up the 

 bank into the jungle again, making my way along as 

 rapidly as possible under cover until I was just opposite 

 the buck. The distance was a full 150 yards, and the 

 quarry Ipoked a very small object, so I lay down, rested 

 the rifle over a root of a tree, took the most careful aim, 

 and fired. At the shot the buck leaped high into the air, 

 and then fled towards the forest, into which he disappeared 

 just as I sent a parting but ineffectual shot after him. I 

 was certain I had hit, so off went about a dozen Moormen, 

 knives in hand, running, wading, and finally swimming 

 across the river, which ran deep under the opposite bank, 

 whilst we, the Mudaliyar, and the rest of the men, dis- 

 cussed the situation, the natives eyeing the " Savage " with 

 great interest and curiosity. Soon we heard the welcome 

 sound of wood chopping, and knew from that that the 

 men were cutting a pole to carry the dead deer, with 

 which they presently appeared, again crossing the river to 

 our side. I noticed with some amusement, but made no 

 remark, that its throat was carefully cut, though I'll lay 

 odds it was as dead as a herring long before they reached 

 it. The bullet had caught it low down in the shoulder, 

 breaking the left fore-leg, and a splinter of nickel had 



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