328 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS chap. 
directions in desperate fury; but the maddened 
hounds were upon him, and the knife put an end to 
a hunt which had lasted from 7.30 a.m. until the 
termination at 4 p.m. Eight hours and a half; 
during which it would be difficult to guess the 
number of miles that were covered by both stag and 
hounds. Ploughboy was lamed for a week from a 
severe kick, but none of the other dogs were 
seriously injured.” 
Although as a rule a stag is more dangerous than 
a hind, I have seen fatal wounds produced by the 
blow of the fore-foot, with which the sambur hind is 
very active. It may readily be imagined that in deep 
water, where the deer is obliged to swim, it is power¬ 
less to act on the offensive, but when so large and 
powerful an animal stands only belly-deep in the 
midst of a roaring torrent, it becomes impossible for 
any dog to approach, as it would be instantly swept 
away by the stream. A hind becomes dangerous 
to hounds in such a position, as she is apt to 
make a sudden bound, and strike a dog with both 
the fore-feet simultaneously. I once knew a fatal 
accident, when a dog named Cato was killed in this 
manner, and the sharp pointed hoof penetrated the 
body like a spear, and dragged out the intestines in 
the act of withdrawal. Success in hunting sambur 
deer with hounds must depend upon an intimate 
knowledge of the character and habits of the animal, 
a mutual confidence between master and hounds, 
and a most perfect experience of the country. If 
the hounds feel sure that their master will stick to 
