HOW TO TREAT YOUR NATIVE HUNTERS 351 



blanket, or pair of boots or shoes, a few cigars, a bottle of 

 beer, or a few rupees at odd times will always repay the 

 sportsman. 



When out on shikar for a lengthy period his hunters must 

 always be treated on an equal and on a friendly footing; receive 

 them into your hut occasionally after a successful day's 

 shooting, give them a peg, and chat and hobnob with them, 

 if you wish to gain their confidence. This can always be done 

 without lowering oneself or losing in any way one's dignity, or 

 permitting of any undue familiarity or liberties. A Burman, 

 should you treat him in the right way, will always be respect- 

 ful, and knows how to keep his distance perfectly well. On 

 the other hand, should a sportsman show any signs of temper 

 or impatience by striking any of his guides and hunters, they 

 will not only take jolly, good care never to accompany him on 

 another expedition, but will also be very chary of accompany- 

 ing any other European into the jungle after game. 



Next day I lost a huge solitary bull gaur through having 

 only my 12 smooth-bore gun in hand. We were walking 

 listlessly along when the bull, which had been sleeping 

 within a yard or two of the track, suddenly jumped up 

 and dashed away without even the customary snort of 

 alarm. I had only time to fire an ineffective shot with 

 the smooth-bore, taking aim for its ribs. A few spots of 

 blood, the size of a threepenny piece, appearing now and again 

 for a distance of over two miles, during which time the gaur 

 had not slackened its pace, convinced me that it was useless 

 following any further. 



While tracking up this animal we ran into a nest of hornets, 

 which stung one of my men most unmercifully. These hornets 

 were in size quite an inch long, of a black colour, and as thick 

 as my little finger. I happened to be leading at the time, 

 and hearing the warning " buzz " overhead of a single 

 " boodwho," which was, I have no doubt, on sentry-go over 

 the rest, I dashed forward, leaving at the same time my hat, 

 an Ellwood shikar, behind me. The two men who were 

 walking behind at the time, and who had also stepped on to 

 the nest, dashed off at right angles uttering yells of pain. 

 On looking back, at a distance of some 30 or 40 yards, 



