ramzan's strategy. 209 



rudely interrupting our reveries. He is not very far off 

 either, and Eamzan says there is just a chance of the ani- 

 mal's coming to have an evening roll in a small muddy 

 pool, or " trag " as it is here called, that he (Eamzan) knows 

 of in the vicinity. 



We soon reach the pool, which is situated near the border 

 of an undulating grassy glade immediately above the forest 

 where the stag was heard. At the edge of an opposite wood, 

 and about a hundred yards from the pool, Eamzan selects a 

 spot for an ambush, which merely consists of a few green 

 branches stuck into the ground ; but our view of the pool 

 is quite obstructed by some rising ground on our side of it. 

 This flaw in the position cannot, however, be avoided, owing 

 to the direction of the wind ; and Eamzan, from former ex- 

 perience, confidently predicts that the hangul, if he should 

 visit the trag, will, after quitting it, be pretty certain to 

 show himself on the said rising ground. The old man seems 

 so satisfied of his conjecture proving right, that he goes so 

 far as to divest his head of its big wlrite turban — a pre- 

 caution which he seldom thinks necessary in close country 

 unless he really means business. 



The bellowing, although now much nearer, is only heard 

 at long intervals, until at last such a time elapses without 

 its being repeated that my hopes of a chance are fast sub- 

 siding. But listen ! a low sort of groaning sound comes 

 from the direction of the pool. Again we hear it, this time 

 in short subdued grunts, and there is no longer any doubt 

 about its proceeding from the stag as he wallows in the 

 mud, although we cannot see him owing to the rising ground 

 that intervenes. My companion, as he sits silently by, ex- 

 horts my patience by intelligent glances, as I anxiously 

 await the issue of the business. We have not long to wait, 

 however, before a pair of broad-spreading horns with ten 

 beautiful tines rise gradually over the grass, until at length 

 their owner, all soiled with wet mud and quite unconscious 

 of danger, stands in full view before us. A few seconds 







