SHIKAR IN THE WURDWAN. 49 



We remained still, watching about an hour, when a back- 

 ward movement, and then further ascent was determined 

 on. As we turned about on our sides to move off, two 

 does, that were close upon us in the rear, dashed off and 

 away down hill, but without any sensible effect upon our 

 hopes. It was a most arduous struggle up the hill side, 

 slippery with hoar frost, and fearfully steep. With 

 extreme difficulty we reached a narrow ledge, on which 

 we all four could just cling, some one way, some another 

 a giddy height when, to our infinite disgust, we saw the 

 three attendants moving out below. All sorts of signs 

 and gesticulations were made to stay them, but on they 

 blundered. I had yesterday pointed out to the shikarries 

 the folly of having these followers, as, forming with us a 

 long line when ascending or crossing a hill, we no sooner 

 pass out of sight, than they come into view ; so that any 

 animal getting a glimpse of us, and regarding the spot 

 from which we have passed, sees the followers coming 

 across the same place, and, of course, decamps. I had 

 tried to impress the importance of this simple fact upon 

 them ; but they are so wedded to their own habits, and 

 trust so entirely to luck, rather than skill, in approaching 

 game that, though acknowledging the force of my 

 observations, they did not act upon them. 



At last this blundering train, looking upwards, saw our 

 impatient gestures, and, mistaking their meaning, only 

 quickened their pace. At length they did understand, 

 and lay down. 



We now descended, and crossed the face of the hill 

 towards the deer. We discerned them now afoot, leisurely 

 moving upwards, and cropping the fresh grass that came 

 in their way. They were in a favourable place to approach 

 now : but we had to be cautious, and keep out of sight. 

 We moved with studied step, and reached the position 



