206 



The Hunting Grounds 



sharp-pointed stout thorn that grows out of the joint. 

 In the other end of this is a notch, in which is fast- 

 ened a piece of strong 

 fibre made from the aloe, 

 about eighteen inches in 

 length, to the end of 

 which is attached a small 

 round pebble by a hole 

 drilled in the centre. In 

 some parts of the jungle 

 is found a small sweet- 

 tasted gourd, somewhat 

 shaped like a cucumber, 

 and of this both spotted- 

 deer and antelope are 

 particularly fond. The 

 natives, being aware of 

 the fact, bait a number 



of these hooks with this fruit and throw them in 

 the runs ; the deer unsuspiciously begin to eat them, 

 and, finding the string and pebble knocking about, 

 they bend down their head and attempt to break it 

 off by treading on it with their fore feet, or striking 

 it with the hind. In either case, the chances are that 

 the cord gets between the division in the hoof, and, 

 being arrested by the stone, they are irretrievably 

 caught, as the hook fastens in the mouth or throat, 

 and the more they struggle the firmer they are held. 

 They generally struggle so violently that death from 



