3IO THE FORESTS OF UPPER INDIA 



been successfully carried out for some years previously, 

 certainly showed its effect, as fine saplings, grown from 

 seed, of teak and other sorts were plentiful through the 

 forest. The long grass formed a close covert in the open 

 flats, and wild animals of all sorts lived in peace. 



This forest took a long time to inspect, and days were 

 spent just wandering through the reserve, which was 

 pretty extensive, and climbing the heights, sometimes on 

 an elephant, sometimes on foot ; always accompanied by 

 old Boodoo and the forest jamadar and some watchers, 

 of whom there was a good staff, and whose business it 

 was to clear the great open line, which had been cut in a 

 complete circle all round, of weeds and jungle grass, 

 which would otherwise carry the jungle fire into the sacred 

 precincts. To describe the numerous encounters with 

 every sort of wild beast would be monotonous, but I will 

 just endeavour to picture one day. At daviTi a faithful 

 makhna (tuskless) elephant, called Malunga, is kneeling at 

 the tent door while the pad is being ' kinched.' Malunga 

 is a good steady hati about lo feet 6 inches high, a very 

 tall, long-striding, active, and sensible beast, belonging to 

 the Forest Department. The Duke of Connaught rode 

 him when the great hank took place in these hills. A 

 chaprasi holds up the big, ever-moving tail, on which a 

 foot is placed as a step to clamber on to the pad. Mail 

 is elephant language for ' march,' which Malunga proceeds 

 to do, having elevated himself off his knees, a process 

 which obliges the occupants of the pad to hold on hard 

 by the ropes. We are going up the valley, crossing a 

 series of jungle-clad slopes on the left of the river, and 

 inspect the land for timber trees. Silently and smoothly, 

 but with a rocking sway, Malunga forges ahead, his 

 mahout guiding him gently by touches of the great toe in 

 the back of his great floppy ears. Thick bamboo jungle 



