234 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
This was proved to be the case upon our arrival 
at Bijore, about nine miles from the town of Moor- 
warra, where the zealous official had exhibited too 
eager a spirit for our sport. Two buffaloes had 
been tied up about half a mile apart, near the dry 
bed of a river, where in an abrupt bend the current 
had scooped out a deep hole in which a little water 
still remained. Both buffaloes had been killed, 
and upon our arrival early in the morning nothing 
could be discovered except a few scattered bones 
and the parched and withered portions of tough hide. 
There were tracks of tigers upon the sand near 
the drinking-place, also marks of cheetul and wild 
pigs, therefore we determined to drive the neighbour¬ 
ing jungle without delay. 
The neighbourhood was lovely, a succession of 
jungles and open grass-glades, all of which had been 
burnt clean, and exceedingly fine grass, beautifully 
green, was just appearing upon the dark brown 
surface scorched by the recent fire. 
There were great numbers of the ornamental 
mhowa trees, which from their massive growth 
resembled somewhat the horse-chestnut trees of 
England. These had dropped their luscious wax¬ 
like blossoms, which from their intense sweetness 
form a strong attraction to bears and other animals 
of the forests ; they also form a valuable harvest for 
the natives, who not only eat them, but by fermenta¬ 
tion and distillation they produce a potent spirit, 
which is the favourite intoxicating liquor of the 
country. 
