276 THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



They are, however, very glad to see some of them shot by 

 the British sportsman, as they do much damage to the 

 crops. In the early morning camp is struck, and we start 

 on the march along a straight, well-gravelled road leading 

 towards Jalaun. On both sides is a vast plain, snuling 

 with fields of wheat and other crops of various shades of 

 bright green. The sun is beginning its rapid ascent above 

 the wide horizon. There are several herds of antelope 

 in sight, grazing on the young crops. Having sighted 

 some bucks with fine horns through the glasses, we stroll 

 carelessly across the land, a syce leading the Kathiawar 

 horse, which is a fast, smart mount for such occasions. 

 He is a beauty, with black tail and mane, about 15 hands, 

 of a light dun colour with stripe down back, and very 

 sure-footed in a gallop across the cracked cotton soil. 

 We shape our course, not direct for the herd of about 

 twenty antelope, but at an angle which will take us near 

 them, as if bound for a distant village, following the foot 

 track leading thither. The bucks look up from their 

 busy browsing and trot a little way towards us to inspect 

 the intruders, but, seeing that we are going straight on 

 our course and do not notice them, they continue grazing 

 in peace. We do not attempt any concealment, which 

 would arouse their suspicion at once. Selecting the finest 

 buck, we keep him in view and edge along nearer to him, 

 but stni steering straight on to pass him on the left. He 

 becomes nervous, and gives a few bounds and trots on, 

 his curiosity leading him to come nearer sometimes ; but 

 seeing we do not alter our course, he grazes again, pre- 

 senting his black side nicely at 200 yards. Watching the 

 moment when his head is down, the opportunity is taken 

 to sit down, while the syce leads the horse on without 

 a pause. Resting the elbows on the knees one gets a 

 steady position, and, aiming carefully, the express bullet 



