Spearing Game out of Boats. 295 



of hours passed, and Burpettah was left a long way 

 astern. Ultimately we got into a creek, went up it 

 for about two miles and then emerged into another 

 inland sea. Out of one islet a very large stag, with 

 good horns, and two does took to the water, and we 

 after them. We were warned of the approach to a 

 shallow by seeing the deer galloping along and splash- 

 ing the water so as almost to conceal them ; but 

 beyond that there was deep water again, and they 

 also were killed. The next game that we slew were 

 a whole sounder of hog, whose flesh the Cacharies are 

 very fond of, so they also were added to the bag. 

 The tender by this time was almost gunwale under 

 water, so it was sent back, and another boat im- 

 pressed to take its place. We could see other boats 

 returning, so knew that they also were pretty well 

 laden. By this time we were in what in Burma 

 would be termed a " quin," a vast plain surrounded 

 by forest, but submerged. I saw the old man change 

 his spear, which was somewhat blunted, and after 

 inspecting several and feeling their points, choose a 

 sharp one. He told me we should now probably see 

 buffaloes. After the usual diabolical noises, out 

 rushed, open-mouthed, two rhinoceros ; if they could 

 have got at us I have no doubt we should have felt 

 the effects of their sharp tusks, but seeing a boat full 

 of men all yelling together, they changed their tactics 

 and swam for their lives. I proposed to shoot them, 

 but the old man would not listen to it. We were 

 soon alongside of the pursued, the keen razor-like 

 blade was repeatedly thrust by the stalwart arm, 

 blood poured forth and dyed the water around us. 

 The pachyderm opened his jaws, but was helpless, 



