xxv THE SAMBUR 431 



towards the spot where the stag was again at bay. Upon my 

 approach he immediately saw me ; determined to gain the forest, 

 he charged straight past me, or at me, I would not say which. I 

 had expected this, as from his position he could not retreat with- 

 out leaping into the chasm and certain death below. I had my 

 knife ready, and I met him with the point just beneath the eye, 

 and jumping quickly on one side I gave him a quick thrust under 

 his right shoulder. The next instant he was covered with dogs, 

 and the wound proving almost immediately fatal, the hunt was 

 over. His horns were 30 inches long, and were the most graceful 

 pair that I had ever killed. 



"I cut off his head, and with it commenced a toilsome walk 

 home, having killed the elk, which I had every reason to believe 

 had so often beaten off the dogs and baulked me." 



On that occasion I was quite alone, my native huntsman having 

 lost his way in the jungle ; I thus had to carry a head weighing 

 about 40 Ibs. for at least 4 miles up the steep mountain and then 

 2 miles farther to my own home. I had cut open the stag, and 

 allowed the hounds to take their fill of this gallant antagonist, 

 who had worsted them upon former occasions, and would have 

 been victorious again had I not arrived to their assistance. 



From the few hunts I have described, it will have been apparent 

 that the hounds are exposed to the roughest work, and that a 

 valuable dog must combine great valour with discretion. It is 

 the same with men ; courage is always necessary, but it must be 

 allied with prudence. Some persons assume that courage is the 

 commonest qualification, and is to be found among all men, just 

 as ten fingers (with the thumbs) are supposed to be our due. I 

 quite agree that after a good dinner in England, with plenty of 

 wine inside, a bright fire burning in the grate, and no enemy in 

 existence, men feel uncommonly courageous. It is natural that 

 they should be so. But would all men feel the same with empty 

 stomachs, no wine, no fire, but awakened suddenly from their sleep 

 at three o'clock in the morning by the bugle sound of the alarm, 

 the enemy being close at hand 1 



There are impetuous men and impetuous dogs neither live 

 long lives if exposed to danger. The hound for dangerous game 

 should be like his master, a good fencer, and not run upon the 

 points of a stag's antlers. 



I have mentioned the name of Bertram among others. He was 

 a grand young hound, by Smut (Manilla blood-hound cross with 

 Cape mastiff) out of Lena (kangaroo-hound), born 7th February 

 1852. He was killed 18th March 1853. This splendid young 



