174 KECREATIONS OF A NATURALIST 



just as in the days of Tippoo Sahib. The Cheeta, 

 hooded like a falcon, and held by a stout collar and 

 cord, is carried to the field on a bullock-cart, on 

 which he sits side by side with the native keeper 

 who has charge of him, and who pats and caresses 

 him from time to time. The cart proceeds across 

 country until any deer or antelopes are seen. The 

 driver then advances circuitously, gradually narrow- 

 ing his circle until he gets within one or two 

 hundred yards of the nearest antelope, which, 

 accustomed to see the native carts of the country, 

 does not at first take much notice of that which 

 carries the Cheeta. As soon as he is near enough 

 the driver stops, and the keeper removes the hood 

 of the Cheeta, which springs lightly from the cart, 

 and commences his stalk, availing himself of every 

 bush and hillock between himself and his prey as 

 he stealthily approaches it. When within forty or 

 fifty yards he jumps up, and in a series of magnifi- 

 cent bounds dashes at the nearest antelope, and 

 generally brings it down, fastening at once upon 

 its throat and killing it. It sometimes happens, 

 however, that the intended victim gets too good a 

 start, and the Cheeta, failing to overtake it within 

 a reasonable distance, gives up the chase and 

 returns sulkily to his keeper, who feeds and re- 

 hoods him. In the event of a kill, the keeper runs 

 up with a tin bowl, and, cutting the deer's throat, 

 fills the bowl with the blood, which he allows the 

 Cheeta to lap up, until, watching a favourable 

 opportunity, he slips on the hood and leads the 

 animal back to the cart. The sportsmen who go 



