496 WILD SPORTS OF BURMA AND ASSAM 



the enclosure was not less than 30 acres, surrounded by a 

 stockade, and lined on the outside by the vassals of the Rajah. 

 They had previously driven in the wild beasts of the country 

 to this place, being the highest ground on the plain, and sur- 

 rounded them. The sight was whimsically wild and magnifi- 

 cent, the concourse of people immense, the whole population 

 of the hills and plains having turned out for the occasion. 



" The place into which we were introduced was a species of 

 open balcony ; on either side of my chair were placed those 

 of the Rajah, his prime minister, commander-in-chief, and 

 officers of state. 



"We each prepared our arms for the magnificent chasse now 

 about to begin. Upon looking round me with attention, I saw 

 there were now no fewer than two hundred of the largest wild 

 buffaloes inclosed, several hundreds of sambur, great variety 

 of the smaller description of deer, and wild-hog innumerable. 

 These animals were now galloping round us in quick succes- 

 sion, when the Rajah, turning politely towards me, asked me 

 to begin the sport by taking the first shot. I was no marks- 

 man, and afraid to betray my want of skill in so public a 

 manner. First I declined the honour, but the Rajah insisted ; 

 I therefore raised my rifle to my shoulder, and taking a good 

 aim, to my own astonishment dropped a bull buffalo dead on 

 the spot. There was a shout of general admiration. I, on 

 my part, put my pipe into my mouth, throwing out volumes 

 of smoke to show my indifference, as if the event were a 

 matter of course. But no power could persuade the Rajah to 

 exhibit, from the apprehension of not being equally successful 

 before his own people. On my left hand sat his luscar, or 

 prime minister ; his quiver, I observed, contained but two 

 arrows. ' How comes it, my friend,' said I, ' you come into 

 the field with so few arrows in your quiver ? ' With a sar- 

 castic smile he replied: ' If a man cannot do his business with 

 two arrows he is unfit for his trade.' At that moment he let 

 fly a shaft, and a deer dropped dead. He immediately had 

 recourse to his pipe and smoked profusely. The loud and 

 hollow sound of the nagara or war-drum, and the discordant 

 tones of the conch shells announced a new arrival. The fold- 

 ing doors of the arena were thrown open, and ten male ele- 



