i2 4 GUN, RIFLE, AND HOUND. 



well-kept gardens had supplied them with vegetables. 

 The thing had come to an end, probably as increased 

 travelling facilities enabled the subscribers to go to 

 the hills when they wanted a change, and the place 

 had fallen into the hands of a bunnia, who cannot 

 find it a very profitable property, I should imagine. 

 The great thing which I learnt was that the bungalow 

 only the bare walls, of course was available for the 

 use of any one who cared to use it. I promised 

 myself a few days' holiday there, provided there 

 should prove to be any chance of sport, which I had 

 sent my shikari out to ascertain. 



On his return he made a favourable report. The 

 reverse slope of the hills forming the valley I have 

 mentioned was, he said, forest reserve, and contained 

 plenty of blue bull, and there were panthers, one 

 having killed a calf only that week. 



I think I should here explain what a " forest 

 reserve" is. To prevent the reckless destruction by 

 the natives of all the timber, Government has marked 

 out all through India enormous tracts as forest reserve. 

 No wood-cutting is allowed in these, and they are 

 walled round to prevent cattle entering them. 

 In the wooded districts of Central India they form 

 real forests of sal and teak, and are watched with 

 jealous care, no shooting even being allowed in them 

 except during the rains for fear of forest fires. In 

 Rajputana they vary according to the district. In 

 the reserves I am speaking of it would be difficult to 

 find a timber tree, the growth, as a rule, being low 

 jungle with thorn bushes. Nobody can doubt, how- 



