xxv THE SAMBUR 421 



that the long-legged dogs actually appeared in view of the awaiting 

 stag before he had an idea of any enemy. This was absolutely 

 necessary to ensure a quick solution of the hunt. If the stag were 

 not pressed to his utmost at the outset, he would have plenty of 

 leisure to breast the mountain steep, to reach the summit long 

 before the pack. In that case he would cross the ridge, and 

 descend the slope upon the other side. That would be a case 

 indeed when the buckle of the waist-belt would be drawn as tight 

 as possible, to prepare for a long day's work ; as the sambur would 

 never stop when once his nose was turned down hill, and he would 

 run for probably 10 miles into the depths of some awful ravines, 

 where he would possibly escape. 



If, on the other hand, the mute long-legged hounds should 

 interview him before the arrival of the pack, the effect would be 

 magnificent. For the first burst the stag would make straight up 

 the mountain side, but the full paunch of a night's feed would 

 quickly tell against his chances of success. The hounds, with 

 empty bellies, running light, would quickly overhaul him, and the 

 stag must turn. Then he would come crashing through the jungle, 

 running obliquely down the hill, but the long-legged ones would 

 be at his heels, and force him straight down the steep incline, where 

 he would have the speed. 



In the meantime, listening to the notes of well-known hounds, 

 I could tell with tolerable accuracy the position of affairs. Hear- 

 ing that the pack did not positively crest the mountain ridge, I 

 knew that the stag had not been able to attain it ; he therefore 

 would perforce be coming down. Judging by the appearance of 

 the country the point at which he would be compelled to break, 

 I would run ahead with the two long-legged seizers, which always 

 remained with me, to be ready to slip the moment that he should 

 appear upon the open. Arrived at the spot, I should now hear 

 the pack in full cry coming down the hill. Presently the crashing 

 sound of breaking nilho in the forest would ensure the delightful 

 advent of the stag. A few moments more and the splendid beast 

 would appear through the margin of the forest. There he would 

 wait for a few seconds to gaze upon the expanse of solitude, to 

 assure himself of safety before he ventured upon a dash across the 

 open. Away he goes ! straight down the gentle slope, across the 

 plain. At that moment I slip the straining greyhounds, and the 

 course begins. They fly ! 



The stag knows nothing of these new enemies, and he is not 

 going at his maximum speed ; they are. The greyhounds are 

 closing on him as he nears the stream that runs through the 



