The National tribune., 1899-09-21

forest lands become more plentiful There
are streams and water holes likewise, with
an abundance of deer, so that if the heaven
horn condescend to hunt such insignificant
creatures, what is to prevent their being
shot"
"Blt this dust-like one begs to represent
that where shade, water, and game can be
found, there tigers will also be, and the
Kafir who mentioned this region remarked
that they. frequently ate those persons
gathering gum, together with woodculters,
whensoeyer inclined. If your servant
might presume to speak, now, since the
sahibs have vindicated their honor and
killed this accursed elephant, 1t is very
fortunate to find place with such adVan-
tages."
With many men tiger hunting becomes
a passion; the animals tremendous per-
sonality takes possession OF them. we
ourselves were not free from this influence,
hut Goor Bux was its slave-during the OIL
season he was only withered little wretch
who passed his time in recalling past eX-
perieaces and anticipating those yet to
come.
At present, however, our designs re-
mained concentrated upon Sambur. II
ANYTHING else turned up well and good,
otherwise we were going deer-stalklng.
Pushing on, therefore, so as TO get out oil
district where heated gorgos had thoroughly
baked us. and the need for climbing like
goats used Up what little energy was left,
some days hard travelling took this de5ic-
Gated band into an expanse OF primeval
forest. broad valleys and lofty peaks that
not only suggested happy hunting
grounds" but looked to our scorched eyes
infinitely refreshing.
Here we could really see the blue Mi,
ghirry Mountains, not merely sight their
sgfinmits while down in super-heated
hole Furthermore, though only upon
their verge, here stretched away indefinitely
magnificent sal or teak woodlands with
bright. softly flowing rills, lonely, shadowed
lakelets, graceful palms, bamboos, and ferns
innumerable. This would have been al
ideal place without any tigers, but since il
teemed with these and other wild beasts
we naturally looked upon it as a sort ol
promised land"
Our first night passed comfortably or
one Of the shelves Of those granite cliffs
which crop out here in all directions, and
shut in with solid walls that great triangu
lar tableland rising in the Satpura's heart
Nocturnal sounds assured us completely
with respect TO future prospects.
Perhaps there may have been an acci
dental conjunction of fortunate circum
stances, special gathering among the
clans. but surely 10 grander or more varied
chorus Of wild voices ever fell upon human
ears Amidst these bellowings. yells
,,1 OF times tho Iann
hoarse challenge Of a sambur stag-an i'm
pressive and menacing sound, seemingly
more likely to be uttered by some fierce
predatory beast than the harmless creature
from whom it actually issues.
Salnbur, often called the red deer, o
India, on account of its rufous or red -bronz
coloc, does not really belong TO this latte
species. In the same way it is called an ell
in Ceylon because of its superior size Boti
appellations are wrongly bestowed, as In
animal belongs to distinct group c2lloc
Rusin;p. and is not I deer at ;ll. 1t is or
of several forms, including the so-callet
swamp and hog deer, chcetul or axis, ant
muEtjac.
One party ofsfield naturalists assert tina
the horns are shed annually, another Sc
deny it-qualifying their statement, how
ever, with an admission that this may pc,
haps occur on higher rangcs--s,lch as thos
jungles found upon the NilglIirry table
lands. Without entering into any dis
cussion, suffice it 10 say that these branch
ing antlers will weigh about 30 pound
apiece if fully developed, and may be 4
inches long, fact which by itself implic
considerable size and strength upon tn
part Of an animal capable of carrying them