146 BISON. 



discovery in his direction being unsuccessful, we resumed 

 tracking the bison, but in a few minutes heard what I 

 thought was a tiger calling to its mate. Both shikaries 

 declared it was a tiger, and were not a bit keen on tracking 

 it up. We could find no signs of pugs, but proceeded in 

 the direction, and got quite close to the spot it emanated 

 from. Suddenly a tremendous crashing took place, and 

 the note changed. Both shikaries said " anee," whereupon 

 I put in elephant cartridges, loaded with 7|- drachms of 

 powder and hardened bullets. A few yards further on we 

 discovered a herd of bison, which had been giving vent to 

 these extraordinary sounds. A sufficiently clear shot not 

 being obtainable, we followed the herd slowly, the cows, as 

 usual, presenting the most tempting shots, and, moreover, 

 keeping such a sharp look out, that, although we took 

 every advantage of wind and cover, no opening occurred at 

 the bull. The cows bellowed, snorted, and rushed away, 

 taking the bull with them. Three of these stampedes took 

 place in the course of a ten mile stalk, at the end of which, 

 I got a long shoulder shot at what appeared to be the bull. 

 Away rushed the herd again, but the wounded one lay 

 down twice within a short distance in very thick covert, 

 and bolted on our approach. For several miles we con- 

 tinued the pursuit, till we arrived on the banks of the 

 Periar, where, instead of crossing the river, they turned up 

 the right bank. Twice again we roused it in thick covert, 

 but the shikaries were not to be blamed, for one could not 

 see five yards ahead in the almost impenetrable tangle of 

 canes and creepers. We carried on the tracks till the sun 

 began to sink, and were proceeding down a slope covered 

 with clumps of bamboos towards the river, when the brute 

 suddenly charged us from our left flank. The right barrel 

 brought it down as if shot through the brain, within 



