FAIL TO BAG A GAUR 139 



We remained to cover him, if he were charged. The plucky 

 old man got to within ten yards, but could not see them. 

 The bull, hearing a noise, advanced, and we expected every 

 moment that he would be on the Brigadier. We did not like 

 to open fire, as we wanted the General to get first shot, but 

 suddenly the bull spun round, and with tail on end went off 

 full score followed by his wives. We fired a volley but did 

 no harm. That was the last chance we got at gaur that 

 trip. 



May 13. Moved towards home, going via Tagoondine. 



May 14. Brigadier and Liardet went shooting. Lloyd 

 and I up the Puechoung to see the waterfalls. We came back 

 by rafts. 



May 15. Nouksedouk, a good place for big game. I left 

 my comrades there, and rode back to Tongho, having work 

 to attend to. 



In October I received orders to visit an old fort, Zayawadie, 

 and I persuaded Dyke of the 6pth to come with me. I sent 

 on the elephants several days before, and told them to meet 

 us at Banlong. We started on my birthday, the ipth October, 

 by boat, and after sundry adventures got to our destination 

 only to find that the elephants had not arrived, but we had 

 my servants and some food and beer, and made ourselves as 

 comfortable as possible. We slept on the floor of the Zyat, 

 and used logs of wood in lieu of pillows. Our elephants did 

 not turn up till the afternoon of the 2Oth. The mahouts 

 told us the roads were nearly impassable, and that they had 

 taken eight days to do what they generally got over in three, 

 or three and a half. We called the shikaries together, but 

 they told us it was madness trying to shoot at this time of the 

 year ; but as I had to go, I thought I'd try and get some 

 sport. I was luckier than I deserved, for I bagged a couple 

 of sambur with one ball each ; but it was pure luck, for all 

 we could see were the ears. The stags had dropped their 

 horns and were in hiding. 



The next day it took us fourteen hours to do eight miles, 

 and we did not get to Zayawadie till 5 p.m., and our at- 

 tendants did not arrive till dark. We had our beds rigged 

 up and took refuge under the curtains, for the mosquitoes 



