184 The Hunting Grounds 



back, and in this manner he was dragged along in 

 triumph. 



In less than two hours we had caught four more, 

 the largest being a little over eleven feet in length. 

 We afterwards let them loose on the plain, and, 

 mounting our horses, killed them with our boar- 

 spears, which entered the throat behind the shoulders 

 and the under parts of the body easily enough ; and 

 we found that a hardened rifle-ball would enter any 

 part of the back or head, which have been stated to be 

 shot-proof by some writers. In the evening we had 

 another nautch, which was prolonged until the " short 

 hours," when we distributed our " largess " to the 

 votaries of Terpsichore and turned in. 



On the morrow we started for Andior en route for 

 Combie Jungles, and as the distance was not much 

 over twelve miles, and small game was said to be 

 abundant, we determined to shoot our way, having 

 our horses following in case any of us being tired. 



My little nag " Gooty" was a thoroughly broken 

 shooting-pony, and, although the Rarian system had 

 not then come out, a perfect understanding existed 

 between us : he would come at my call or whistle ; 

 stand perfectly quiet when ordered ; allow me to fire 

 from between his ears, without flinching ; would take 

 the water like a duck ; was famous in a scramble across 

 country ; had no fear, and could almost do everything 

 but speak. He came into my hands in a strange 



