104 SHIKAR 



exert themselves over much, and have a great regard for 

 the comforts of a house, so that it is difficult to get them 

 well away from the inhabited districts. They are, more- 

 over, constantly begging for something ; and, though one 

 may give them double what they are entitled to, they 

 will scheme to dupe you into giving them more, quoting 

 fabulous experiences of the generosity and munificence of 

 saheb so and so. Nor do I consider them by any means 

 good hunters, their talents being confined to a knowledge 

 of the country, and a quick sharp eye. They possess 

 none of that pertinacity and resource which enable 

 hunters to find game when scarce and wild, and to 

 capture it with certainty when severely wounded. They 

 are but poor trackers, and quickly give up all efforts at 

 the pursuit of a wounded animal, if they think it may 

 have gone far. How often I have longed for one or two 

 of my old Australian native hunters ! They were the 

 fellows to run a tangled trail through bush or over bare 

 rock, like hounds with the chase in view. Of my three 

 shikarries, Phuttoo, Mooktoo, and Subhan, the latter is 

 far the best and more attractive in character. He is 

 young and willing, and is not yet spoiled, not having 

 hitherto acquired all the wiles and tricks of such men as 

 the other two, who are old allies, and work together for 

 their mutual advantage. It is a great drawback to my 

 pleasure in this excursion, not being able to repose con- 

 fidence in these associates. 



We went over a deal of ground, but arrived at the end 

 of our beat without seeing anything ; then pulled up for 

 the day. Just as I was finishing breakfast, the hunters 

 came, and informed me there was a bear in sight. I got 

 up and accompanied them a short way up hill. Puffing 

 and blowing, distended with tea and dough cakes, I made 

 heavy way, and, having ascertained the bear to be a long 



