346 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
enter the jungle, and then come down the wind 
upon his position. The cheetul, having scented 
danger, begin to move. They do not wildly dash 
forward, but cleverly retreat, stopping continually to 
listen ; they turn up this nullah for a while; then 
cross over the dividing ridge; now they descend 
into the neighbouring nullah, and steal away down 
that. The shikari knows their probable path, 
and presently a shot from his matchlock kills a 
fine buck within 8 yards of the muzzle, where 
the herd has been listening for the danger from 
the other side, unconscious of the living trap in 
front. 
It is curious to observe the difference in the 
sporting arrangements of various countries. I 
never can remember any instance of driving jungles 
with beaters in Ceylon ; this was quite unheard of, 
excepting upon rare occasions for elephants, when 
a herd of these animals had taken up a position in 
such thick jungle that it was impossible to approach 
them. There can be no doubt that game is far 
more abundant in Ceylon, therefore the chances are 
in favour of seeing the animals upon the open. 
The population of the island is exceedingly small ; 
large tracts of country are more or less unoccupied, 
and are undisturbed ; this is naturally an advantage 
to the shooter. I have often looked back to 
bygone days, and regretted that we did not 
drive jungle, as I am of opinion that we 
should have seen many more bears and leopards, 
which are seldom met with when simply walking 
