HUNTING WITH AN EAGLE. 169 



talons. It regularly dragged the deer down, and 

 held on for some time, the little gazelle kicking 

 out like mad. We still galloped on, and I won- 

 dered what the finish would be. The shikari, 

 when he got up to them, without drawing rein 

 threw himself off his pony and grabbed the deer 

 by the hind-leg, just as it had kicked itself free, 

 and pulling out his knife, cut its throat. It was 

 a most exciting chase, and I enjoyed the gallop 

 immensely. Bob evidently did the same, seeming 

 thoroughly to enter into the sport. On another 

 occasion the eagle, after it was thrown, did not 

 see its quarry, and, after a vague flight, lit on 

 the ground and began to scream ; and the next 

 time, when it was more successful, we were too 

 long in coming up, and the deer had shaken it 

 off, going on seemingly none the worse, while 

 the eagle, which was now on the ground, re- 

 mained there screaming like a fool, without 

 attempting to get on the wing again to follow 

 up its game. 



My tent was pitched in a glade by the river, 

 and well sheltered by forest all round ; and as 

 there was any amount of fallen trees for fuel, 

 huge fires all about the camp made the place look 

 very comfortable. 



