Jungle By-Ways in India 



My hopes of at last bagging him run high. 

 Instead, however, of advancing farther, down 

 goes his head, and he commences to crop the 

 sweet grass in eager mouthfuls. 



Nearer came the pernicious does, and one 

 away to the right has now left the grass and is 

 approaching me on flank. The stag throws 

 up his head and again advances with a long, 

 curiously undulating, proud stride. Easy it is 

 to see that he knows himself to be the undisputed 

 lord there. I carefully draw a sight on him. Too 

 far yet ! I cautiously turn my head. That 

 confounded doe is within twenty paces of me, and 

 others are following in her tracks. In front I can see 

 seven does of various sizes all within 30 to 40 yards. 



I glance away to the west, and my heart sinks, 

 for the upper rim of the sun is just dropping behind 

 the tree-tops, and I know that I have but little 

 time left. Something must be done, and that 

 quickly. The stag is gradually feeding towards me, 

 and I estimate his distance at about 90 yards, per- 

 haps less, as the light is already becoming doubtful. 



Carefully assuming a crouching position, I 

 suddenly stand erect, without making a sound, 

 and with my rifle levelled on the stag. The does 

 to the right take one look and make for the grass. 

 The heads of those in front come up, the ears 

 flick forward, and they stand and stare at me, 

 move a few paces back, and stare again. I have 

 the darkening forest behind me, and calculated 



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