140 THE HUNTING OxEOUNDS 



ing me that he had no doubt but that it would be 

 granted. 



The next three days were devoted to preparations 

 for my sporting campaign, which I shall describe for 

 the benefit of the uninitiated. 



I had constructed, according to my own plan and 

 fancy, what I should advise every Indian sportsman 

 to possess — that is, a very comfortable teak-wood 

 bullock-cart, on springs, and fitted up for travel- 

 ling. Mine was seven feet long by four broad, 

 and contained three large watertight boxes or 

 compartments, to hold my kit and comestibles en 

 route, with a fourth, copper-lined and fitted with a 

 screw-top, which fastened with a lock, for my 

 ammunition, besides a rack for eight guns. The 

 wooden sides were about two feet and a half in 

 height, and from them sprang six bamboo hoops, 

 on which the white painted canvas top was ex- 

 tended ; the whole of which gear was movable, 

 and could be cleared away at a moment's notice. 

 The bottom of the cart was slightly bevelled off 

 round, caulked and sheathed with copper, so that, 

 by taking out the linchpins and putting the wheels 

 into the cart, my trap served me as a boat to 

 transfer myself and goods across rivers otherwise 

 impassable. When in cantonment I took out the 

 pole and bullock-yoke, and fitted in a pair of 

 shafts ; and although it was not a very light 

 vehicle, an old Australian mare I had used to trot 

 alonsr with it with ejreat ease. The whole length 



