36 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



at home, so we had our walk for nothing no, 

 not for nothing, for on our way back to camp we 

 came across undoubted tracks of bison, though 

 they were somewhat stale. This considerably 

 revived our drooping spirits, and we determined 

 to send on our camp that night to a spot some 

 eight miles distant, situated in the heart of dense 

 bamboo-jungle, where we should be more likely 

 to come across bison ; sleep out ourselves, and 

 shoot our way over the next morning. At day- 

 break, we were awoke by our trusty 'boys,' who 

 had some tea arid toast ready for * master.' Dis- 

 cussing this as we dressed, we soon were on our 

 way, and shortly separated. 



I had been walking about an hour-and-a-half, 

 when I saw a large herd of cheetal browsing 

 through a pretty open part of the jungle, the 

 stags stopping occasionally to have a little ' mill,' 

 then chasing some errant hind, and anon rubbing 

 their antlers against the stems of the forest trees, 

 whilst their female kind looked on admiringly. 



along the back. The bison prefers high altitudes and dense jungle, 

 where bamboo grows, and are found at ranges varying from two 

 to six thousand feet above the level of the sea. They attain a height 

 varying from five feet four to seven feet two inches, measuring from 

 the point of the wither to the fetlock. They have small, compact, 

 game-like hoofs and short legs, and for their bulk are wonderfully 

 active. Bulls are often very savage when wounded, and numerous 

 instances are recorded of their charging sportsmen. 



