1 2 The Hunting Grounds 



There is no animal more shy or solitary by 

 nature than the sambur. He takes alarm from 

 every living thing in the forest; the slightest sound, 

 be it only the fall of a leaf or the scratching of a 

 jungle fowl, will scare and set him off in a mo- 

 ment, Except in certain embarrassed situations, 

 they always run up wind, their great security lying 

 in their extreme keenness of scent, for they can 

 smell a taint in the air at an almost incredible 

 distance. 



When a hart is disabled or run down by dogs, 

 and he feels that he cannot escape by speed, he 

 will choose the best position he can, and defend 

 himself to the last extremity with his antlers. 

 Powerful dogs may pull down a full-grown stag 

 when running and breathless, but not a cold hart 

 (one that has not been wounded) when he stands 

 at bay, for he takes such a sweep with his antlers 

 that he could exterminate a whole pack, should 

 they attack in front only. 



The sambur, like many other animals, seems to 

 foresee every change of weather, for they leave the 

 hills and descend into the plains whenever any 

 rough weather is about to take place. 



The deer-stalker should not only be able to run 

 like an antelope, but he should possess the bottom 

 of an Arab horse, to enable him to keep the game 

 in view; he should be able to creep like a leopard. 



