Aug. 12, iqt i.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
243 
PIGEON SHOOTING IN INDIA. 
In India there is little formality about social 
gatherings. Even at a “Lieutenant-Governor’s” 
“hurra khana” the male guests find it a matter 
of difficulty to refrain from slapping one an¬ 
other on the back, while the “mem-log” pine 
to discuss the iniquities of their “kham-samahs” 
with “Mrs. Lieutenant-Governor.” Directly the 
newcomer has shaken off the dust of travel, he 
is expected to call upon every man, woman, 
child, and dog in the place, without waiting to 
be invited. Consequently, two days after my 
arrival in a little up-country station, I was not 
in the least surprised at receiving a pressing 
invitation from the civil surgeon for “tea and 
pigeon shooting.” “Come at four o’clock,” he 
wrote—on an official form stamped with the 
Government of India lion and unicorn—“and 
we'll have some music first. I’ve got a gramo¬ 
phone and a record by a chap called Caruso. 
As you’re out from home, I daresay you’ll know 
who he is. I’ll send my tum-tum for you.” 
The tum-tum (a bamboo cart of simple con¬ 
struction and compound knee-action) drew up 
at the door of my quaint bungalow, and off we 
went—a monkey-like groom perching himself 
on a little step suspended ’twixt heaven and 
earth. Arrived at the “Doctor-Sahib’s” house, 
I lost no time in thanking him for his kindness 
to a passing stranger. * * * “That’s all 
right,” said the cheery medico, “I always like 
to give fellows who’re fresh to the country a 
good time. * -* * And you’ll meet the rest 
of the station, you know. There's the assistant- 
sahib, who doesn’t know one end of a gun from 
the other; the Padre—a missionary, but a 
pukha sportsman; the Opium-Wallah and his 
wife—she's as black as your hat; the district 
superintendent of police, and the sessions 
judge.” 
Tea was over, and I had made the acquaint¬ 
ance of Omar Khayyam, the Persian cat; Tipoo, 
the Kashmir goat, and Akbar, the tame jackal— 
all of whom were allowed to make free of the 
verandah. Once more seated in the tum-tum— 
this time by the side of my agreeable host—I 
found myself en route for the scene of 
slaughter. After a few minutes’ drive I was 
about to ask the Doctor if the jungle was far 
distant, when, suddenly drawing up at the sta¬ 
tion club, he said: “Here we are! Jump 
down!” 
Wondering if I had lighted upon an Anglo- 
Indian “tir-aux-pigeons,” I looked about for 
the familiar traps. But, no, there was not a 
sign of this pernicious paraphernalia. Reading 
in my face a note-of-interrogation sort of ex¬ 
pression, the quick-witted doctor hastened to 
solve the mystery. “The sport,” quoth he, “is 
primitive—but jolly good! * * * You wait 
a brace of shakes, and you’ll see how we shoot 
pigeons in India. * * * Quai hai. * * * 
Here you, Mahomet Ali. Just give the sahib 
my new gun. * * * Now we’ll join the 
others.” 
We strode across the club garden, which was 
heavy with the scent of tuberose and stephan- 
otis, and bright with the most vivid shades 
imaginable, till we reached a circular brick plat¬ 
form raised three feet from the ground. A 
huge punka swung to and fro; and, seated in 
long cane chairs on the “chubutra,” were the 
“Opium-Wallah’s” wife, a dusky belle with an 
outrageously opulent figure, and the other per¬ 
sons who formed the official society of the 
place. A native waiter, clad from head to hee! 
in snowy white, and girt about his waist with a 
gaudy cumberbund, presided at a little table 
whereat the members of the club made them¬ 
selves happy. 
In the meantime I wondered more than ever 
when, where and how the shoot was to begin. 
My suspense, however, was about to be ended. 
From far off on the horizon there came a faint 
ATTENTION-SPORTSMEN 
When preparing for your outing, whether it be Forest, 
Lake or Stream, send for a pair of Armstrong’s 
Sporting Shoes. There is nothing bet er made 
in the shoe line for the Woods or Stream. 
The cut here shown is 13 inches high, has bellows tongue 
to top, all hand-made of oil-tanned “Dry Foot” leather 
made especially for these shoes, made on right and left 
lasts, inside counters and flexible welts. 
This shoe fits the foot, no slipping about, you get that 
perfect ground grip which relieves the strain incident to 
rough walking. They are as near water proof as a shoe 
can be made out of leather, the leather is stuffed with 
our oil tar preparation which obviates the rancid oil smell 
so common with this type of shoe. 
We specialize on this brand and sell direct to the consumer. 
ASK FOR ARMSTRONG’S SPORTING BRAND 
Send size of shoe generally worn and we will send you 
a pair of sporting shoes that will add to your sports. 
Heights: 9 in., $5.00; 13 in., $6.00; 16 in., $7.00 per pair. 
Remittance must accompany all orders. 
STILLMAN ARMSTRONG CO. 
Vanceboro - - Maine, U. S. A. 
Manufacturers of Moccasins and Sporting Shoes 
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When writing say you saw the advertisement in “Forest and Stream.” 
