ioo SIR VICTOR BROOKE CHAP. 



He never moved but disappeared like a shadow almost 

 imperceptibly. It was the most imposing scene I ever 

 saw. I need not say I slept little that night phantom 

 antlers of gigantic size floated before me in ceaseless 

 motion. Some days after we settled to sleep in a wild 

 man's ruined hut, so as to be off before daybreak to 

 some very wild country. What would you dear folks 

 think when I tell you we knew for certain that a tiger, 

 a black panther (very rare ; I saw him, but he was too 

 quick ; I never got a shot), and an old bear all lived 

 within as far as the deer park of our rackety old 

 wigwam ? We slept well, bar the fleas which, saving 

 your presence, abounded. I was aroused during the 

 night by the belling (note of alarm or surprise of the 

 sambur) of the deer all round us. Long ere day we 

 were off and perched, well hidden, on a commanding 

 height ; just as it was getting light I made out a 

 large pair of antlers growing as if out of the top of 

 a hill. I found it was a very fine stag lying down ; 

 I had a very difficult stalk of two hours and a half 

 and bagged him a long and good shot, as he was 

 going at speed. The very next day, still with faint 

 hopes of the ' monster,' I was off in the dark. Just as 

 light was stealing quietly into each dark corner in 

 succession, I thought I saw some brushwood moving 

 violently about a mile down. Up with glass. Picture 

 my emotions, for I cannot describe them. It was indeed 

 the proud old lord, cleaning those heavenly antlers by 

 taking up the long lemon grass and brushwood and 

 tossing it about. He had just had his bath, and was 

 cleaning the mud from his head and neck. How I 

 watched his every movement. After doing the toilet 

 business to satisfaction, he thought he would just pluck 

 a leaf or two before going to his lair for the day, so up 

 on his hind legs he got. I can't go through all, but 



