230 Leaves from an Indian Jungle. 



spot about seventy yards farther on, almost cutting his 

 path. There was a very slight depression here, of which, by 

 bending down, it seemed possible to take advantage. On 

 the far side of this grew a few low sal bushes of the kind that 

 often form a very thick undergrowth beneath the parent forest. 

 Creeping forward, rifle held ready, I peered round them. 



Not fifty yards away my huge quarry had just come to a 

 standstill. His great head was turned sideways, nose down- 

 ward, in comical bubaline fashion. He appeared to 

 regard something in my direction in a quizzical manner out 

 of the corner of his eye. I remember noting his extremely 

 venerable appearance and the enormously powerful short 

 thick legs, dirty white below the knee, while overcome 

 with a sudden realization of my own puny proportions. 



The safety-bolt had been pressed forward, and the mas- 

 sive breeched, taper-barrelled "400 bore cordite rifle was half 

 way to my shoulder, but a huge curving horn covered most 

 of the vital spot, at any rate would probably interrupt the 

 bullet. 



Slowly, very slowly, that venerable muzzle was raised ; 

 slowly the great ears hinged forward ; the massive neck 

 bent ; and the obstructing horn gradually shifted round. 



He is now gazing straight at me. The psychological 

 moment has arrived. Nervously the sight comes to rest 

 about the point of his mighty shoulder, quivers a little, 

 and is forcibly, with bumping heart, held steady > 



Bang ! 



These deadly new rifles ! There is no smoke. Simulta- 

 neously, with the sudden sharp recoil, the bull gives a quick 

 flinch and twist of his body, and, turning before the left 

 barrel can be got in, blunders suddenly and heavily away. 



Reloading as we go, we are after him, warily enough 

 however, on the toes of the tennis shoes, eager for a chance 



