of the Old World. 17 



browsing as they went, so they cannot have taken 

 alarm." " Go ahead," I replied, feeling, I must 

 own, rather nervous and excited, as who would 

 not be, when after his first stag; and on we went, 

 creeping along with the utmost caution for a 

 quarter of an hour, when suddenly we heard a 

 sharp noise, like the barking of a dog, which 

 seemed to come from a dense thicket some short 

 distance in our front. 



Walter pulled up at once, and I noticed Ponto, 

 his canine friend, had also caught up the sound, 

 for he had his head knowingly cocked on one 

 side, as if he was listening carefully, and his 

 nose elevated, as if he was trying to sniff the air, 

 whilst a small stump an apology for a tail 

 made sundry eccentric movements, indicating that 

 something was in the wind. 



After a moment's pause, Walter touched my 

 shoulder, and whispered below his breath, " That 

 was the bark of a buck elk, so cock your rifle and 

 step in front, as I want you to kill him ; he cannot 

 be far off, therefore keep a bright look out, and 

 be very careful not to make the slightest noise." 



I stole noiselessly along the run, following the 

 slots, which were distinctly visible, until I came to a 

 more open spot, where the jungle had been burnt 

 the preceding year, and, crouching behind a thick 

 bush, I had the extreme satisfaction of seeing the 



c 



