168 The Hunting Grounds 



pursuit, and went in search of B , whom we heard 



fire a double shot. We found him taking out the 

 offal of a doe spotted-deer he had killed, and pre- 

 paring it for carriage. He had seen three bison 

 break, but they were out of range of his rifle. 



The beaters now made their appearance, and, 

 slinging the deer on long poles, which they carried 

 over their shoulders, took it to the place where we 

 had left our horses. I chose a dozen of the most 

 intelligent-looking of the number to accompany us, 

 and dismissed the rest with a bucksheesh, telling them 

 they would be well paid if they brought us news of 

 large game. Then, mounting our horses, we rode off 

 to the village where our tent had been sent, which 

 was about six miles further, and found " Five 

 Minutes " anxiously expecting our arrival, dinner 

 being nearly ready. 



We had a most refreshing bathe in a tank, on the 

 bund or stone embankment of which our tent was 

 pitched, under the shade of a beautiful banian-tree, 

 and afterwards did ample justice to his entertainment. 



Poor D was in a dreadful way about his old 



piece, and I spared him the roasting I had fully in- 

 tended to have given him for the nervous agitation 

 he had shown whilst waiting for the bison to break. 



After dinner was over I sent for the head man 

 of the village, and told him our intention of setting 

 out very early the next morning after bears, and we 



