iv INDIA 61 



a sharper lookout ; it was, I began to fear, in vain, 

 as the evening was just drawing to a close. Just as 

 I had given up all hopes and was making my best way 

 to the bungalow I looked to my right, and there I saw a 

 herd of about twenty-five antelope standing looking at me. 

 Where was their lord and master ? not a sign of him ; 

 I dared not wait, so took a steady aim, and my little 

 conical went crash through the brain of an old doe. I 

 fired the other barrel through the smoke at another, but 

 with no result. As the smoke died away I looked up, 

 and there I saw the old buck of the herd looking at 

 me. I knelt down, loaded as fast as possible, but lo ! 

 he was gone, and in the distance I saw several airy 

 forms almost flying through the air, and at their head 

 was one more lovely than all the rest, sailing along 

 with apparent ease, reminding me of the sea-gulls in a 

 storm in the * Bay of Biscay O ! ' However, half a 

 loafs better than none ; in like manner, a doe antelope's 

 better than no deer. This deer gave me one of those 

 wonderful instances of the tenacity of life in all animals 

 of the genus Cervus. Though my bullet had gone 

 right through her brain, she bounded about in a mad 

 manner, and I had to send two more bullets before the 

 fairy-like form was quiet. Her skin was worth having, 

 so she must be got home at all hazards. The only 

 way it could be done was to shoulder the beast myself, 

 so I swung it over my shoulder and trudged home, a 

 distance of about 3 miles, and any one who has 

 carried hares that distance can give an idea of what 

 sort of work carrying an antelope must be, especially 

 in India. Old Gough had news for me when I came. 

 Three tigers had taken up their abode in some huge 

 boulders of rocks close to the town, and one of them 

 wandered about the town at night. To-morrow morning 

 I intend going to examine the place, and see what can 



