Moluccan Rusa 169 



Malayan deer was numerous in the forest and plantations of this part of the 

 island. It furnishes a permanent livelihood to a tribe of Gilolo Alfuros, 

 who have been settled in Batchian for many generations. Living for the 

 most part in the hills, they kill and smoke the deer, and bring the meat 

 into the villages for sale. We were fortunate enough to assist at one of 

 their hunts, in which no other weapon but the spear is used. The side of 

 a large ravine which had been partially cleared, and presented a confused 



Fig. 44. — Antlers of u Moluccan Rusa in four successive years. From a photograph by the 



Duchess of Bedford. 



jumble of fallen trees and low brushwood, was assigned to us as our post, 

 and from the extensive view it commanded we were able later in the day 

 to watch one run almost from start to finish, although at first the sport 

 appeared to be successful in every direction but our own. At length a 

 stag broke covert about 500 yards above us, and descended the slopes of 

 the ravine, but shortly afterwards turned and made for the forest again. 

 He was met by some of the hunters and driven back, but the dogs were 

 now in full cry, and pressed him hard, the hunters meanwhile racing at 



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