68 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



perhaps that of others depended on my coolness, 

 and the steadiness of my aim ; I have shot bison, 

 and at elephant, and stalked the lordly sambur, 

 (the red-deer of India) ; I have felt the keen excite- 

 ment generated in riding one's own horse in a 

 race, when one was doing one's best to get the 

 last ounce out of him at the finish sometimes 

 winning, and as often, and oftener, being beaten 

 on the post ; but all these were nothing compared 

 with what I felt when I got my first view of a 

 sounder of wild hog as they broke, and heard the 

 word to ' Ride !' 



In fox-hunting all a man has to do, once 

 hounds have got away with their fox, is to sit 

 down, and ride as straight to them as he can, 

 and do his best to keep his place. No individual 

 exertion, bar that of the huntsman, can tend 

 much to ensure the death of the fox. I do not 

 mean to say that a sportsman cannot make him- 

 self of use, during checks and emergencies that 

 may occur, but in hog-hunting the case is widely 

 different. When once away everything depends 

 on the exertions of all the pursuers eyes, seat, 

 nerve, and judgment must all play their part, and, 

 if not made good use of, there is but small 

 chance of your meeting with success. Nerve is 

 undoubtedly required in both sports in hog- 

 hunting'it is indispensable ; whereas in fox-hunting 



