56 BIG-GAME SHOOTING IN UPPER BURMA 



beast can creep through low arches formed by 

 intertwining creepers and bamboos ; but in this 

 respect a tsaing can give points to any bison. 



As with all big game, it is advisable to make 

 an early start when going after bison. Sander- 

 son advises one to wait till the dawn has given 

 place to day in order to avoid fever, and I will 

 admit that early rising, in the rains especially, 

 when the atmosphere is heavy as lead, and there 

 is not a breath of air to relieve the oppressive 

 feeling of damp heat, is very trying. You are 

 soaked to the skin with perspiration before 

 going half a mile, vitality is at its lowest, and as 

 you trudge along you wonder why on earth you 

 were so foolish as to leave a comfortable bed 

 and tent at such an ungodly hour. But presently 

 day breaks, a slight breeze springs up with the 

 dawn, and when you reach your ground at 

 6 a.m., or thereabouts, matters assume a more 

 cheerful aspect ; and then, when you have the 

 luck to strike the fresh track of a solitary bull 

 between six and seven o'clock, how you con- 

 gratulate yourself that, ' idle slumber scorning,' 

 you forced yourself to tumble out of bed at the 

 awful hour of 4 a.m., or even, it may be, earlier ! 

 Alas ! too often virtue is its own reward in 

 big-game shooting as in other things. Still 

 and for all, as they say in Ireland, sooner or 

 later a more substantial reward in the shape of 

 a fine old bull consoles you for all your trouble. 



