CHAPTER VI 



MISCELLANEOUS SPORT ON FOOT 



THERE are very few spots in Lower Burma where sport can 

 be indulged in on foot. In the forests in the Tharawadie district 

 at the foot of the Yomahs occasionally elephants can be hunted, 

 and also from Pegu. In the Banlong district thamine can be 

 stalked and shot, but for really good sport, elephants are a 

 sine qua non. But to the north-west of Tongho, as in the 

 case of General Blake, I have known big game to be met with 

 in localities where locomotion is possible. Raikes of the 

 Artillery and Hill of the 69th Regiment had shot a tusker 

 and various other game at Lepangon near the Pabay Creek. 

 I once got into the middle of a herd of elephants there, but 

 failed to bag one out of the herd ; but the next day, starting 

 very early, we got on to the trail of a solitary male, and as he 

 appeared to be in no hurry, but fed along, I was in hopes we 

 should soon overtake him ; but we walked fully fifteen or sixteen 

 miles before we came upon him standing in the bed of a small 

 rivulet,browsing on the wild plantains. It is a curious coincidence 

 that plants which in India only grow at an elevation of 1500 

 feet and more are found in the plains of Burma. The wind 

 blowing down the streamlet, I crawled close up to him, and 

 sat down under a bamboo clump growing out of the river 

 bank. His broad quarters were facing me, and I could see 

 no vulnerable spot, but I sat patiently with my rifle at full 

 cock and a spare one handy, perfectly confident that he would 

 expose his forehead presently, and that I should bag him to 

 a certainty. I watched his every movement for fully five 

 minutes, then without the least warning he spun right round 



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