42 



THE VILLAGE NIMROD. 



few requisites for a short sojourn in the wilds. We reached 

 our destination a hamlet near the foot of the hill we in- 

 tended hunting over in time to get everything " fixed up " 

 before dark. 



On making inquiries about a guide for the ground, the 

 village Nimrod a comical-looking little man attired in an 

 old black blanket, with a bit of rope round his waist support- 

 ing a small " koolharee " (wood-axe) presented himself, and 

 made his salaam. This bare-legged individual rejoiced in the 



name of " Baloo Mar," 

 literally meaning " Bear- 

 killer," which sobriquet had 

 been given him, I was told, 

 by some former employer. 

 Not that he had earned it 

 from the fact of his hav- 

 ing performed any daring 

 feats in the destruction of 

 Bruin, but from his having 

 the reputation of making 

 himself scarce at the first 

 symptom of any dangerous 

 intention on the part of 

 the said animal. How- 

 ever, as he was reported 

 to know the country and 



the haunts and habits of its game pretty well, I employed 

 him, and found that in this respect at any rate he did not 

 belie his calling, besides being a cheery, amusing little man. 



The Himalayan native shikaree is, as a rule, a perfect 

 cragsman, an excellent stalker, and an adept in woodcraft 

 generally. His power of vision, too, is marvellously acute ; 

 and his capability for quickly detecting game, either in thick 

 cover or far off in the open, is sometimes astonishing. If he 

 errs, it is in his endeavouring to get so close to game that, 



Village Shikaree, with, matchlock and rest. 

 Province of Kumaon. 



