344 The Hunting Grounds 



had been seen several times lately in a wooded ravine, 

 about two coss (four miles) distant ; and which he and 

 Veerapah, under the guidance of the party then in 

 camp, had been to look for him, and whilst they were 

 following up his trail, and talking as they went along, 

 he made his appearance and charged right at them, 

 but that they had made their escape by climbing into 

 trees, where they remained until he moved away. 

 The Carders also knew of the whereabouts of a herd 

 at no very great distance among the hills ; and they 

 reported that bison were to be found at any time in 

 the teak-forests. Having made up my mind to go 

 after the solitary tusker, whom I suspected to be a 

 " rogue" that had been driven out of a herd by his 

 companions, from his vicious attack on the people, I 

 turned over and slept until called by Chineah in the 

 morning. 



A venison-steak broiled on the embers of our fire, 

 a cup of coffee, and a couple of chapaties (girdle-cakes 

 made of rice-flour), formed our breakfast; during 



which meal I informed B of Naga's news, as he 



had not heard it, being asleep at the time. I then 

 despatched Chineah, Veerapah, and a party of 

 Carders and Mulchers, for the bisons* skins and 

 horns, which they were to take down to our hut in 

 the low country, and there remain until our return. 

 As there was only one elephant, according to our 

 usual custom in such cases, we tossed up for the 



