of the Old World. 205 



The next day we moved on to Kaupoor, distance 

 nine miles, where we pitched our tents, having heard 

 that a herd of elephants had been seen by some 

 Mulchers a few days before; but after a couple of 

 days' search, during which we found no fresh trails, 

 we advanced to Dewara, where, as we were beating a 

 very thick and likely cover, a black panther started 

 up from a cleft in the ground close under my feet, 

 and I had the good fortune to roll him over with a 

 single ball, which took effect just behind the ear. 

 The skin was magnificent, the spots being distinctly 

 visible when held up to the light, appearing of a 

 deeper black than the rest. The gang declared that 

 the black panther was a much more dangerous animal 

 than the ordinary species ; and as I had on a previous 



occasion seen one, that Walter M had wounded, 



charge most desperately several times, perhaps their 

 assertion is correct. The one I killed certainly was 

 a most formidable-looking customer, having great 

 yellow eyes and long black whiskers, but the fur was 

 soft and silky as velvet. The next four days afforded 

 us no sport except an old she-bear, which was killed 



by B and D whilst engaged in eating the 



fruit of the " mowra" tree ; but I was very much 

 struck with the singular and ingenious manner in 

 which the Mulchers of this part of the jungle catch 

 spotted-deer and antelope. They cut strong pieces 

 of the creeping-bamboo about a quarter of an inch in 

 diameter and four inches in length, leaving the curved 



