Sporting Trips of a Subaltern 



banked-up water distributaries for irrigation as a 

 means of approach. Should the buck be in the 

 open, it is a more difficult job. One way is to 

 dismount and get your syce to lead your steed 

 round the herd, you yourself keeping the horse 

 between you and them. This must be originally 

 done at such a distance that the buck are only 

 curious, not alarmed; then, never allowing the 

 syce to look towards the herd or to change his 

 pace, the circle can gradually be narrowed. 

 Should they show alarm, turn slightly outwards 

 again till they have quieted. Eventually, when 

 you are sure of your shot, or think a nearer ap- 

 proach would send them off altogether, sit down ; 

 the syce and horse preserve the even tenure of 

 their way followed by the eyes of the herd, and 

 you take your shot. 



Another way is to have a cloth handy and 

 putting it over your head to simulate the " Aryan 

 brother" working in his fields. Buck are used to 

 this familiar object, and will let it come within 

 150 yards. They are also used to seeing it con- 

 tinually stopping and bending down, so may stand 

 when you sit down to shoot. 



Talking of natives reminds me to say that care 

 must be taken not to bag any while after buck in 

 the crops; they have the most thoughtless way 

 of bobbing up in line with or behind a buck. Also 

 endeavour to ascertain what is beyond. I knew a 



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