122 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



before I reached him. The ball had passed through the neck, 

 cutting a large vein, and travelling on had killed the poor doe. 

 The buck had bled to death. 



To the west of Dholka is a long string of pools called 

 the " Kore," which, during the rainy season, are united into a 

 sort of river. In the hot weather they are merely a succes- 

 sion of sluggish ponds, and in some of these alligators con- 

 gregate. They are, I believe, harmless, but probably only 

 owing to want of opportunity. We fired at several, and some 

 of these we found dead on the bank next morning. 



They are very numerous in the Watruk river, near its 

 junction with the Samburmuttee. Close to the confluence the 

 former river makes a large bend, almost enclosing a consider- 

 able tract of cultivated land. I was shooting there on one 

 occasion with a friend, when I wounded a black buck, break- 

 ing his hind leg. My companion signalled to his groom, who 

 came running up with his horse and spear. Mounting, he at 

 once gave chase. The buck made straight for the bend of the 

 river, and, knowing that the stream was deep, and about fifty 

 yards in width, I concluded that he would be overtaken and 

 slain on the bank. I followed on foot, but on arriving at the 

 river I saw my friend standing on the opposite side, drenched 

 with water, and minus his spear and stirrups. The wounded 

 buck had swum across, closely followed by the horseman. 

 When half-way over, the latter saw the heads of alligators 

 appear above water in most unpleasant proximity. 



Numerous at all times at this spot, they were probably 

 rendered more lively than usual by the blood of the wounded 

 buck. The situation must have been disagreeable, and espe- 

 cially so when, on reaching the opposite side, my friend found 

 his horse floundering in deep mud, and unable to mount the 

 bank. Close to the edge the water was deep enough to cover 



