OF THE OLD WOELD. 215 



whom I had one day paid some slight attention, 

 came to inform us that he had seen a large herd of 

 elk in a wooded ravine about three miles distant. 



I immediately wrote oflF to Major S , who had a 



pack of dogs, and W , K , C , and B , 



then staying at Dawson's, informing them of the 

 news; and in half an hour they all assembled in their 

 hunting-togs at my crib, with two or three other 

 fellows whom they had picked up en route. In the 

 meantime Chineah, my head " shekarry," had mus- 

 tered the gang, with a dozen extra beaters ; and 

 after having partaken of some refreshment, we 

 mounted our nags, and, accompanied by horse- 

 keepers and gunbearers, set off for the cover under 

 the guidance of the Toda. An hour's ride brought 

 us to the spot, and, dismounting, we reconnoitred the 

 ground, so as to make sure the game had not stolen 

 away. No slots were seen to lead us to suppose 

 this had been the case, so we took post along the 

 edges of the cover, whilst the gang-beaters and dogs 

 descended the ravine by a circuitous route, so as to 

 drive the game up the hill, and force it to break 

 towards that side where we were lying concealed. 

 I also ordered the Gooroo and Ali to remain with 

 my polygar dogs on the high ground, so as to be 

 ready in case any of the deer should get away 

 wounded, which afterwards turned out a lucky hit. 

 After nearly half an hour's suspense, certain sounds 

 issued from below which informed us that the 

 beaters and dogs had entered the lower end of the 



