Rhinoceros Shooting. 71 



afterwards from jungle fever. But I never listen to 

 croakers. Having to go to Burpettah where I had 

 works in progress, I thought that I might as well try 

 for game. I reached Tara-baree Ghat about 8 A.M. 

 on June 10th. Although I had sent on my elephants 

 several days before, and they had had ample time to 

 get there, I found none had arrived. Thinking the 

 mahouts might have gone to Burpettah, I sent a note 

 to the Assistant Commissioner, and he very kindly sent 

 over a "palanquin" for me, but as it and the elephants 

 arrived almost together, I sent it back, and halted for 

 the night where I was. The next day, June llth, I 

 aw r oke the people at 4 A.M., and being independent 

 of Assamese coolies, who seldom put in an appearance 

 before 8 A.M., I got off at 5 o'clock. I sent my baggage 

 elephants with servants, &c., to Burpettah by the 

 beaten track, whilst I, with two elephants, went 

 across country, being anxious to ascertain whether 

 there were tigers about, as reported by the native 

 officials. 



At starting, the country was quite open, with paddy- 

 fields, not in use, and overgrown with short grass. 

 In these I noticed a broad trail. Whether made 

 by buffaloes or other heavy beasts I could not tell, 

 but as the animals, whatever they might be, were 

 going our way, I followed them up. Leaving the 

 open ground, we entered a grassy savanna, in which 

 were a few marshes, surrounded by thick bushes. 

 The track abruptly turned off to the right, and 

 directed for a very heavy patch of long grass. On 

 examining the spoor, I saw that we were following 

 rhinoceros and not buffaloes. In addition to my old 

 battery I had purchased a breechloading rifle, No. 10 



