358 THE HIGHLANDS OP CENTEAL INDIA 



carpet-bag if he pleases, and at once fit Mmself out for a 

 year's tour through the country. If he joins a regular 

 camp in the " plains," he wiU find the most perfect system 

 of open-air hfe that has anywhere been devised. Though 

 an Indian camp may not, as, according to Mark Twain, 

 did that of the Yankee pilgrims in Palestine, contain 

 " a thousand boot-jacks," he will find pretty nearly every- 

 thing that civiHsed man can want, ready to move about 

 with him at the rate of from twelve to twenty miles a day. 

 By the help of railways, he may see almost the whole coun- 

 try south of the Himalayas, and shoot specimens of aU its 

 game, during the pleasant cold months from October to 

 March ; and by the time that April ushers in the hot blasts 

 of summer, he may find himself, if he pleases, staUdng the 

 ibex among the snows of Kashmir. 



For mere sport England need not be left earlier than 

 December ; but should the traveller, as is probable, have 

 other objects in view, he should take an extra month or 

 two to see the lions of the civilised parts at their best, 

 which he may combine with some small game shooting and 

 pig-sticking if he likes, in November and December. Should 

 these central regions be selected by the sportsman, the 

 shooting camp should be organised, if possible, beforehand, 

 at some station on the Great Indian Peninsular Eailway, 

 the exact spot depending much on whether the sportsman 

 has any friends on the spot who would assist him. The 

 help of the local civil authorities is of coixrse of the greatest 

 value ; and I may say that it is always freely rendered to 

 gentlemen projecting a tour through their charges. Some 

 previous acquaintance with the language, and the general 

 requirements on such a trip on the part of at least one of 

 the party, is almost essential to ensure success. In the 

 absence of inducements to take another line of country, 

 I would recommend the traveller to leave the railway at 

 the large city of Burhanpur, in the district of Nimar, and 

 commence his hunting in the country roimd the head- waters 

 of the Mona tributary of the Tapti river. Bison, sambar, 

 and bears are as numerous and easy to get at there as in 

 any part of the country I know. Painted partridges, 

 jungle fowl, and other small game, would also diversify 



