DEER-SHOOTING. 283 



The time wore on, but though I heard the coolies 

 tom-toming, nothing came my way. At last I 

 happened to glance at P . He was simply dancing 

 with excitement and pointing to the ridge behind me. 

 Ordering the dogs to lie still, I crept through the high 

 grass till I could see. On a knoll about ninety 

 yards off was a banging great sambur hind gazing 



intently at P , whom no doubt she thought insane. 



Though the distance was a little far for a smooth-bore, 

 I took a careful aim and fired. The bullet went true 

 enough, but I had forgotten to allow for the wind, 

 which was pretty strong. Consequently, though I 

 heard the bullet strike, the hind cantered off on three 

 legs, my second barrel missing. The kangaroo hounds, 

 who had come to the shot, got a view and went off in 

 pursuit. Knowing they would be sure to have her I 

 .stood fast. A few minutes after a stag and two hinds 



passed slowly close to P . They were hidden 



from him by the high grass, and though I signalled 

 frantically he would not look towards me. At last 

 they got his wind and went off at a gallop, but 

 fortunately towards the other guns. Presently I heard 

 a shot, followed directly by a double shot. In a couple 

 of minutes a single hind came in sight going at top 

 speed, with the two great hounds in hot pursuit, the 

 bitch, who was the faster, leading by many lengths. It 

 was the prettiest course I ever saw, but the dogs 

 gained rapidly on the deer, which, it turned out after- 

 wards, was heavy in calf. As they neared P , 



Ranee seized her by the hock, deer and dog rolling 

 over together. Before the hind could rise Rajah had 



