Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa and America — Volume 1Baker, Samuel White, Sir
History
Wild Beasts and Their Ways, Reminiscences of Europe, Asia, Africa and America — Volume 1
Baker, Samuel White, Sir
Animal behavior; Hunting
We had 164 beaters, therefore we could command an extensive line, as the
jungles, having been recently burnt, were perfectly open, and an animal
could have been seen at a distance of 100 yards.
Having made all the necessary arrangements, the beat commenced. It was
extraordinary that such attractive ground contained so little game. The
surface was a delicate green from the young shoots of new grass, and
notwithstanding the enticing food there were no creatures to consume the
pasturage.
Hours passed away in intense heat and disappointment; the most likely
jungles were beaten with extreme care, but nothing was disturbed beyond
an occasional peacock or a scared hare. The heat was intense, and the
people having worked from 6 a.m. began to exhibit signs of weariness, as
nothing is so tiring as bad luck. Although the country was extremely
pretty it was very monotonous, as each jungle was similar in appearance,
and I had no idea how far we were from camp; to my surprise, I was
informed that we had been working almost in a circle, and that our tents
were not more than a mile and a half distant in a direct line. We came
to the conclusion that we should beat our way towards home, carefully
driving every jungle in that direction.
During the last drive I had distinctly heard the bark of a sambur deer
about half a mile in my rear, which would be between me and the
direction we were about to take. It is seldom that a sambur barks in
broad daylight unless disturbed by either a tiger or leopard; I was
accordingly in hope that the sound might be the signal of alarm, and
that we might find the tiger between us and the neighbouring village by
our camp, where a small stream might have tempted it to drink.
Having taken our positions-Mr. Berry amidst a few trees which formed a
clump in a narrow glade outside, and myself around the corner of a
jungle--the beat commenced. I was in the howdah upon Moolah Bux, and
from my elevated position I could look across the sharp corner of the
jungle and see a portion of the narrow glade commanded by my companion
Berry; upon my side there was a large open space perfectly clear for
about 200 yards, therefore the jungle was well guarded upon two sides,
as the drive would terminate at the corner.
In a short time the usual monotony of the beater's cries was exchanged
for a series of exciting shouts, which showed that game of some kind was
on foot. We had lost so much hope, that the presence of a tiger was
considered too remote to restrict our shooting to such noble game, and
it had been agreed to lose no chance, but to fire at any animal that
should afford a shot. Presently, after a sudden roar of animated voices,
I saw ten or twelve wild pigs emerge from the jungle and trot across the
glade which Berry commanded. A double shot from his rifle instantly
responded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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