140 WILD SPORTS OF BURMA AND ASSAM 



were numerous and ravenous. Our dinner was not ready 

 till 8 p.m., and it was handed to us under the curtain, 

 in bed. 



I examined the fort well, and then moved on to Tagoon- 

 dine on the Pue. The next day we got into the midst of at 

 least three hundred elephants, all hines. We tried to shoot 

 them off elephants, but signally failed to bag more than one 

 at the time, though in all, I believe, eight died, and were picked 

 up by the natives, who delight in their flesh. It was cruel 

 work, and I have never since fired at an elephant off an 

 elephant. Had I thought of the ear-shot, I might have been 

 more successful, but shooting at the temple is useless at that 

 angle. 



October 25. We moved to Kyenkein and came across 

 two of the elephants dead, but the short tushes had been 

 stolen, and I very nearly slew a Burman ; he had crawled 

 inside one of the carcases for some tit-bits, but hearing us 

 talking he came out backwards on all-fours, and as he was 

 a mass of gore I mistook him for some beast, and was just 

 going to fire when he got up on his feet ! 



The next day we shot only one stag, but saw many sambur. 

 Jungle is too thick at this time of the year. We found out 

 a new quin where the men said in May and June big game 

 was plentiful. The shikarie's name, Moung Mon he lives at 

 Kadeingzee. The quin is called "Pojahgalay Quin." We 

 then wended our way home, shooting lots of snipe en route. 



I have occasionally shot deer by going three or four miles 

 out of Shoayghein, and once bagged a leopard. The fishing 

 in the pure crystal waters of the Shoayghein river was very- 

 good ; fishing a little way up stream with spoon-bait, mahseer 

 are to be caught. By using a fly, I have caught, in the course 

 of an hour or two, several gna-mien, weighing from 3 to 

 6 Ibs. They are silvery and have no scales, but are capital 

 eating, with but one bone to speak of, and that like a sole's ; 

 they have barbules on the mouth, and the flesh is coloured 

 slightly pinkish. The larger fish of the same kind take a 

 spoon, but are not nearly so good for the table as those of 

 about 5 to 7 pounds ; with a little melted butter and anchovy 

 sauce, I know no better fish. The most delicious fish in 



