JAUNTS IN THE JUNGLE. 115 



How they are caught and tamed I am not aware, 

 but it is certain that in some places they are so far 

 half tamed by the natives as to be applicable to farm 

 purposes, drawing carts, ploughing, &c. ; and after 

 their work is done, they are let loose to graze in the 

 jungle, where they are joined by their brethren in a 

 wild state, whom they sometimes retain in their com- 

 pany for their master's use, or re turn again themselves to 

 a jungle life, till an industrious fit comes into their heads, 

 and they think it time to patronise their owner's yoke. 



It was on one of my excursions in pursuit of a 

 dinner, that I had a very narrow escape from being 

 ripped open by a buffalo. 



Having shot a snipe close to the skirt of a wood, I 

 went forward to pick him up, when out rushed a huge 

 brute at me. Before I had time to put my gun to 

 my shoulder, I had him on the top of me. 



Pulling the trigger at random, we were the next 

 moment rolling over each other on the ground an 

 amusement at which I certainly got second best off. 

 Fortunately the charge (which was only No. 7 shot) 

 had blown his eye in, and penetrated at once to the 

 brain. With a few gasps he rolled over dead. 



I had just picked myself up, and was congratulating 

 myself on the narrowest escape I ever had in my life, 

 when I perceived a party of men approaching me, 

 headed by an Adigar, or chief man of the district. 

 Never imagining their errand, 1 stayed still in hopes 

 of further congratulations ; which hopes were, how- 

 i 2 



