314 THE BARA SING. 



four days' hire. What could be done ? The mukadain 

 was found, and I got out of the way, leaving the energetic 

 Abdoolah and the unscrupulous shikarries to practise such 

 measures as they thought the case required. 



I followed a charming path through woodlands skirting 

 a river the Scind, I believe to a small hamlet shaded 

 by enormous, umbrageous walnuts. This is but half a 

 march ; but from hence we start up the mountains after 

 the bara sing. It is a famous ground, and we have news 

 of the stags being in numbers bellowing there. A native 

 of this place confirmed the intelligence, telling us that he 

 had a field high up the hill, and being there at work four 

 days ago he had heard the bellowing. I engaged him as 

 guide. 



Abdoolah and Co. had managed to obtain coolies and 

 tats to bring in all the baggage, and from muttered con- 

 versation I fear that much oppression was exercised. 

 However, I did not enquire too strictly into the case, but 

 ordered liberal rewards. Arrangements were made to 

 divide the party. Phuttoo goes on with the baggage to 

 Sirinuggur. I take my bedding, canteen, a stew, &c., and 

 BucLdoo attends me. All the coolies were shut up in a 

 house at night and guarded a necessary precaution, but 

 a most disagreeable one. 



llth October. Up betimes, and parting directions 

 given to Abdoolah to mind and pay the coolies liberally. 



I ordered the two dogs to be laid hold of, but poor Sara 

 put on so piteous an air of dejection, looking so dis- 

 appointed and miserable that I could not refuse his mute 

 appeal, and he bounded frantically to my side on the hint 

 to come. We had a heavy climb of some three miles up 

 a well- wooded mountain, occasionally passing over open 

 glades richly cropped with rank grass, and so on to the 

 lower crest, whence slope very steep, smooth, grassy sides 



