Deer. 259 



as I had to walk over. In many places the surface 

 would be quite smooth and covered with short grass, 

 in others (very marshy in the rains), there would be 

 a series of hummocks made, it is said, by worms- 

 covered with creepers and vines, most difficult and 

 fatiguing to traverse ; then grass from three to four 

 and more feet high, just the place for a lurking tiger ; 

 would occur. It is no joke crossing this description of 

 country on foot, but we did not often do it, preferring 

 to be on elephants, but this day something induced 

 us to try " shanks's mare," and I for one was heartily 

 sorry, long before I got to our destination, being dead 

 beat and in fear that I should have a sun-stroke. The 

 only thing I saw was a rock snake, in a dormant state, 

 about fifteen feet long. It had evidently swallowed 

 a hog-deer, for the projections made by the small 

 horns were visible within it. I never spare a snake, 

 so although in a good hunting country, I put a ball 

 through its head. Thank goodness, at last I got 

 into a forest free of jungle, fair to walk in, and with 

 shade overhead most grateful. I heard Lloyd fire 

 three or four times. He was an excellent shot, good 

 rider and cricketer, in fact good all round, but 

 rather excitable and somewhat jealous out shoot- 

 ing. Myet-quin was now in sight. How I longed 

 to get there and pour water over my heated brain, for 

 my head felt as if on fire. The exertion and sun com- 

 bined had unquestionably been too much for me. 

 We were moving noiselessly along when the tips of a 

 pair of antlers to our left caught my eye, but the 

 animal itself was invisible, so signing to the shikaries 

 to stand still, I crept forward, and got within fifty 

 yards of a fine stag, lying down, busily engaged in 



S 2 



