318 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



death was caused by the bursting of a vessel on the brain and, 

 oddly enough, he had at times expressed a wish that he might 

 die in the hunting-field or in action. His wish, alas ! was only 

 too truly realized. I never had the pleasure of meeting him per- 

 sonally, but I knew several of his friends, from one of whom I 

 heard the above humorous lines, which, in places, show great ability 

 andpower of expression most worthy of the man who wrote them. 

 Colonel Nightingale was credited with having killed over three 

 hundred tigers, and also of having, alone and unaided, ridden, 

 speared, and killed sixty-four bears off horseback in the space of 

 about two months ! More than a bear a day ! 



OH ! REST THEE, MY HUNTER. 



i. 



Oh ! rest thee, my hunter, oh ! sleep while you may, 

 To-morrow I ride thee the wild boar to slay ; 

 So thick are the covers, the country so strong, 

 So swift are the wild boars, the chase will be long. 



II. 



Then rest well, my hunter, oh ! sound may you sleep, 

 For high are the hills, and the nullahs are deep ; 

 When once on thee mounted, and the boar in full 



view, 

 Then where is the country we will not get through ? 



III. 



So sure is thy footing, so good is thy speed, 

 Nor nullahs, nor rocks, nor holes do I heed ; 



