HUNTING & SHOOTING IN CEYLON 



on the watch. Nothing seemed to come during the night, 

 however, as is often the case at these very remote unvisited 

 holes, the animals having all come and gone between mid- 

 day and dusk ; but even if they had come, the shadows 

 thrown by the forest were so dense that, in spite of the 

 bright moonlight, I could not have seen anything. Our 

 daybreak visitors proved so interesting that I remained on 

 the stage until quite 6.30. 



First a grand buck elk came to the edge of the forest, 

 accompanied by a young spotted buck. The latter, with 

 many starts and quick glances here and there, tripped down 

 to the water, but the elk remained for some minutes like a 

 dark statue, listening intently, immovable but for the 

 twitching of his big ears, gradually, however, approaching 

 the water step by step, until, being satisfied all was right, 

 he had his drink. 



Within a few minutes after their arrival out came, with 

 proud dainty steps, a lovely spotted buck, with a head which 

 fairly made me gasp, and I'll swear my gun jumped in my 

 hands ; but shoot I did not, in spite of agitated whispers 

 from my men and my own longings. I never saw such 

 antlers in Ceylon before or since, and would have given 

 much for the open season and a fair shot. Had I met the 

 buck in the open park I would have shot him then and 

 there without any hesitation, but I could not bring myself 

 to slaughter him at a water-hole. It was wonderful to watch 

 them how every sound would cause a start and a period 

 of intent listening ; down would go each head to drink, but 

 would be up again, anxious and alert, even before taking a 

 sip of water, the spotted bucks glancing nervously in every 

 direction, the elk confining himself more to intent listening. 

 After a while these elegant creatures departed as cautiously 

 as they came, and a short time after dawn came two doe 



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