130 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



very large jackal sitting in a cotton-field between the rows of 

 plants. Checking my horse to a walk, I moved slowly along, 

 to see how near he would allow me to approach. As I ad- 

 vanced the beast crouched down, keeping his eye fixed on me, 

 and I then made him out to be a wolf. Without halting, I 

 made a wide circuit, and moved back till I met my gun- 

 bearer. Making the horse over to him, I took the rifle and 

 advanced on foot towards the wolf. He had evidently been 

 watching my movements, and had slunk away to some 

 distance from the spot where I had seen him. At length he 

 left the shelter, and soon after stood out in the open. Being 

 under the impression that the wolf I had seen was crouching 

 close by, I reserved my fire, and it was not till I had searched 

 for some time that I saw I was mistaken. All this time the 

 wolf stood looking at us from a distance of 200 yards. 

 Eaising my rifle, I fired. The light was very uncertain, and 

 I had not much hope of bagging him ; but I heard that the 

 ball told, and, mounting my horse, I went after him. The 

 shot had taken him through one of the hind legs, which 

 swung helplessly as he ran. I was soon up with him, but 

 gaining some low bushes, he dodged me for a few minutes. 



At length I succeeded in spearing him, much to the 

 delight of a shepherd who came by on his way home, and 

 who held my horse while I finished off the wolf. Cutting off 

 its head, I threw it into the cart, and reached home rather 

 tired. 



My bag was two black bucks, a buck chinkara, the 

 wolf, and the white buck. Bowles had bagged two black 

 bucks, and missed the white one ; after which he went off to 

 the village at which we had agreed to meet ; and, directing his 

 men to feed his horse and bullocks, sat down under a tree. 

 While peacefully smoking, he observed a number of villagers 



