PIG-STICKING 27 



We soon turned off the road. A native rode 

 in advance carrying a long stick. He beat 

 the reeds heavily, and at intervals gave a 

 shrill cry. We had previously divided our- 

 selves into groups of four, and the first group 

 trotted some fifty yards apart over the plain. 

 As soon as the Englishmen heard the shikari's 

 cry they spurred their horses and dashed off 

 with a loud cry of " Pig, Pig! " We did the 

 same. 



It was abominable country to ride over. 

 One could see only a short distance ahead 

 owing to the height of the reeds; the ground 

 was very hard and uneven; and one would 

 suddenly, without any warning, find oneself 

 confronted with what they call a " nullah." 



These wretched nullahs are channels washed 

 out by the rain, sometimes only a few feet 

 in depth, sometimes, however, with perpen- 

 dicular walls three or four yards in height. 

 In the latter case they are like deep gravel- 

 pits. If you have the misfortune to ride full 

 tilt at one of these you can imagine the cheerful 

 things that happen. 



