166 The Hunting Grounds 



his u peons" (police) to prepare beaters, and D 



sent down a small tent to a village where we intended 

 to sleep the following night. 



The next morning we started at daybreak; de- 

 scended the ghaut, and wound round the base of the 

 Sheveroys for a distance of nearly seven miles, when 

 Googooloo pointed us out the place where he had 

 come up with the bison. Had I been alone, I should 

 undoubtedly have preferred to try stalking rather 

 than beating, but with three (and one a green hand, 

 D ) it was out of the question. 



We found the peons had collected about forty 

 Coolies and villagers, whom I sent with Googooloo to 

 the further side of the hill, as I felt convinced the 

 herd, if it was still there, would endeavour to make 

 for the thick jungle on the sides of the Sheveroys. 



There were two likely-looking places for the bison 



to break, at one of which B posted himself, and 



D and myself took the other. Both places were 



by a broad stony watercourse that wound along the 

 valley which separated the hill where the bison were 

 said to be, from the Sheveroy range, and the herd 

 would have to cross it in order to gain the opposite 

 jungle. 



D was very anxious to kill a bison, and I 



promised to give him the shot should the herd break 

 into the open near us. He annoyed me very much, 

 however, by his fidgety movements, for he could not 



