CARD TRICKS.
437. When reharnessing the Dane to the carriage, the showman gave out that, if duly paid, he could exhibit before the “respectable and discriminating company” the feats of a far more wonderful animal. He collected what satisfied him; and producing two similar packs of common playing cards (say a dozen in each), he bade the Russian come forth and astonish the public. The man distributed one pack along the borders of the cloth; and handing round the other pack, he begged as many of the company as pleased, to take a card. Five or six did so. The man then showed what cards remained in his hands to the poodle, desiring him to point out those that had been taken. The dog walked round and round the cloth, and one by one fetched the corresponding cards.
438. The showman still more astonished the gaping crowd by assuring them that this dog’s intellect was so extraordinary and wonderful, that he could read their most secret thoughts; and to prove the truth of his assertion, whilst telling a good-humoured fiacre-driver, well known to many of them, to think of a card, he successfullyforced[84]one upon his sight: and after coachee had,agreeably to the showman’s desire, whispered to a neighbour what it was, the dog, without taking much time for reflection, selected the true card from among those lying on the cloth.
439. The expressions of admiration and bewilderment this feat elicited having somewhat subsided, the showman again laid out those cards on which the numbers were written. There was a large public clock easily visible from thePlace: he held the dog’s head towards it; requested him to look at it attentively, and tell the gentlemen and ladies the exact time,—first the hours, then the minutes. It was a quarter-past two. The dog brought 2 for the hours, and then 1 and 5 for the minutes.
440. Having now sufficiently worked upon the imagination and credulity of the observers, the showman drew forth a quantity of small folded papers of various colours; and having spread them along the edges of the cloth, he solemnly protested that the dog would tell the fortune of any of his hearers who would first give him a sou. As a guarantee for the dog’s ability, he told them they might compare the several fortunes written on the papers selected for them by the dog, however numerous they might be, when it would be found that, without a single exception, the canine magician would have foretold to each what could only happen to an individual of his or her sex. The charlatan reaped a plentiful harvest, for the temptation was strong—to female curiosity especially; and no one could prove that the dog was ever in error.
PLAYING DOMINOS.
441. After a laughable exhibition of several of the dogs marching in procession, which he called “the carnival of Venice,” he affected suddenly to discover that none of the dogs had been allowed a game of dominos. He again unyoked the Dane, and asked if any one was willing to become his antagonist. As no one would step forward, whether from bashfulness or fear of necromancy I cannot say, I avowed my willingness to play. There were fourteen dominos. I drew seven. The others were arranged for the dog on the cloth, far apart from one another. He had the double six, and he immediately took it up to begin the game. I followed; and we alternately played a piece in the most orderly and regular manner—the dog carrying the dominos to the man to place for him; wagging his short stump when he found (from his master’s manner), that he was right; and, to do him justice, he never made a mistake.
442. Although I was now close to the showman, I could not remark that he gave the least signal by look, or by motion of hand or foot: but I fancied—this, however, may be only another “mare’s nest,” though I cannot think it was—that I heard him make a slight chuckling sound[85](with his tongue against the roof of his mouth), whilst the dog was walking round from domino to domino, which ceased when he approached the right domino, leaving the man at liberty to jest and talk nonsense for the amusement of the crowd.He had evidently a long string of ready-prepared witticisms. He laughed at the dog for being so long in making up his mind as to what it would be most judicious to play;—told him that he had been so hospitably treated by the good Parisians, that it was evident his brains were not so clear as they ought to be, &c., &c.: all which verbiage I suspect the dog took as a confirmation that he was making the selection his master wished. The man promised to call upon me; but I was obliged to leave Paris sooner than I had expected, and I never saw him again.
EXCELLENCE EXPECTED.
443. Our attention, however, perhaps you will think, ought to be confined to instances of intelligence and high education in sporting dogs. Well, then, in the next Chapter I will speak of what some dogs of that class do in this, and some aretrainedto do in other countries;—facts for the truth of which I can vouch, and I hope the account will induce you to believe I am not unreasonable in asserting that we have a right to require greater excellence in our sporting dogs than what is now regarded by most of us as satisfactory.
ANECDOTES OF DOGS ON SERVICE ABROAD. RUSSIAN SETTERS.
444. Dogs for Hunting Bears in India.—445. Polygar Dogs for Hunting Wild Hog in India.—446. Beaters in India; the greater utility of Dogs.—447. Mongrel Pointer in India which proved of great value.—448. Cross between Pointer and Indian Dog recommended; in Note, Arab Greyhounds.—449. Coolness necessary in attacking large Game.—450to457.K——g’scritical encounter with Elephant.—458. Sketch of Scene.—459,460. Wounded Elephant.—461. Pot shot at Bear to be potted.—462. Skull of Indian and African Elephant differs.—463to467.M——ebearding Lion in Den.—468. Hindu’s estimate of courage of Europeans. Encounter with Wild Boar.—469. Strong Greyhounds for killing Kangaroos in Australia.—470. Greyhound hunted with Falcon.—471. The Creole Sportsman and admirable little Cur.—472. His good generalship with Wild Hog.—473. The moral of the Story; in Note, Guinea-chicks; Guinea-birds’ eggs, how taken. Cross with Muscovy Drake.—474,475. Quantity of fish at Newfoundland. Dog Fishing.—476. SirH——dD——s.—477to480. Newfoundland fetching back Fox.—481. Sir GeorgeB——k, R.N.—482to488. His Terrier “Muta” leading him to Musk Bull.—489. His Sketch of the Scene.—490. LordM——f; the dogs “Captain” and “Suwarrow.”—491. Dot-and-go-one, with his old Pointer.—492. How fairly done by “Captain.”—493. Breakers, not dogs, in fault; they could be taught anything.—494. “Rap” (a Pointer) hunting covers with Springers and Terriers.—495. “Shot” (a Pointer), on alternate days, hunting with Hounds and standing at Birds.—496. How accounted for.—497. Affection an incentive to exertion; Dropper alternately pointing Grouse and Snipe; Grouse-dog to be rated when noticing Snipe.—498. Capital Dropper from Russian Setter; difficulty of procuring Russian Setters.—499. Bet respecting superiority of two Keepers in the Highlands; how decided.—500. High-priced dogs ought to be highly broken.
444. Bears of the common species which we often see led about, are very numerous in the hilly districts of some parts of India. In rocky, nearly inaccessible places, the natives hunt them with a strong-set wiry dog. This dog is trained to watch for his opportunity, and leap very high upon the chest of the bear, and seize his throat. You would, perhaps, think this the most disadvantageous position which the dog could select, enabling Bruin to crush him in his powerful embrace. Not so. The well-instructed creature draws himself up so high that the bear, in lieu of crushing his ribs, merely presses his hips,—and the bear’s arms, instead of injuring his opponent are often his best protection; for the animals frequently come rolling together to the foot of the hill, where the hunters despatch poor Bruin with their spears.
BOAR AND POLYGAR DOGS.
445. In other parts of India the natives chase the wild hog witha coarse dog of the Polygar breed. The dog is taught to seize the hog between the hind-legs when he has turned his head to meet some other assailant, and to retain the hold until the hunters come up.
446. Talking of India, however, I cannot help digressing. Why should not more Europeans residing in that country, have dogs as well-trained forbirdsas the Natives have for the bear and hog? I have often thought what much finer sport I should have enjoyed, when I was serving there, if I had then gained as much experience in dog-breaking as I now have. As too many young fellows, belonging both to the Queen’s and Company’s service, frequently complain of their inability to kill time—(time which so soon kills them!)—it is a pity more of them do not take to the innocent amusement of dog-breaking. The broiling sun[86]makes all game lie so close in India (except very early in the morning, and towards the close of day) that the best beaters, unless the number be unusually great, leave nearly a dozen head of game behind them for every one that is sprung, especially in jungly ground. The evil is partially, I allow, but very partially, remedied in grass-land, by attaching numerous little bells to the long cord carried by the line of beaters. I have heard of this plan being pursued in England in the absence of dogs, or when the scent was unusually bad.
447. The object at that time of my especial envy was a nondescript belonging to an officer of the Company’s service, with whom I used occasionally to shoot near Belgaum. The animal had, I fancy, some cross of pointer in his composition; so little, however, that he never pretended to point. He used just to “feather” feebly when he happened to get near any game; and as he was a wretchedly slow potterer, and never strayed (for hunting it could not be called) far from his master, all that he did put up was well within gun range. His owner thus got nearly twice as many shots as any of his companions. How much his sport would have been increased had he possessed a good dog!
ANGLO-INDIAN DOGS.
448. Now there are some native dogs[87]in India with not a bad nose (those, for instance, which are employed to hunt the porcupine at night), and a breed from them with an European pointer[88]would,doubtless, prove extremely useful. Their strength of constitution would compensate for acknowledged inferiority in every other respect. A cross with the Spanish Don would probably be the best, and the easiest broken in, as he is so steady and full of point. But the Hidalgo would be of little service out of the kennel. From his natural inactivity and weight, he would soon knock up under an Indian sun. Three or four pups would be enough for the dam to rear. Those most like the sire should be preserved; and they might be kept in good health, if they were occasionally treated to alittlecalomel overnight, with castor oil in the morning, and allowed full liberty to run about for an hour every morning and evening. I knew some greyhounds of a purely English breed, but born in the country, which were thus maintained in capital health. They belonged to the only litter that the mother ever had. The climate, which is generally fatal to England-born dogs, killed both the parents within a year after their arrival in India. It is best that the pups should be whelped in the latter part of the year, as they would then acquire some strength before the setting in of the hottest weather, and be of an age to commence hunting at the beginning of the following cool season. The companionship of dogs in the jungle adds much to the security of the pedestrians. A timid yelp or a clamorous bark gives timely notice of the vicinity of every disagreeable, dangerous neighbour, and enables the sportsman to take a cool deliberate aim, instead of having to make a hurried snapshot at some stealthy panther or tiger, or the far more formidable foe, a solitary buffalo. The habit of placing the fore-finger alongside the stock, and not letting it touch the trigger, until the moment of firing, proves very valuable in these critical circumstances. Many a barrel has gone off, even in the hands of an old sportsman, before he properly covered some vital part of his first royal tiger. The certainty of ignition afforded by a detonator gives great confidence to the present generation of sportsmen. Even in the wettest weather, the waterproof caps manufactured by Eley and others, seem to insure an instantaneous fire.
449. Great presence of mind in moments of unforeseen, sudden peril is undoubtedly a gift; but calmness and self-possession, fortunately for sportsmen seeking “large game” (burrah shicar), as it is technically termed in India, can be acquired by reflection and habit.
450. A friend and old fellow-passenger of mine, one of the ColonelsK——g,—a name that will long be remembered at Hythe—evinced in 1816 as much coolness as I ever heard of. He wasthen on the staff at Ceylon, and used, while accompanying the Governor on his annual tour throughout the island, to have magnificent sport in places rarely visited by Europeans. Indeed, his character as a slayer of elephants was so fully established that he was often called “elephant-king.”
ROGUE-ELEPHANT.
451. On the party arriving one morning within the Mahagampattoo district, the Governor said toK——g, “Surely you will not attack the desperate brute that lately killed those villagers and the two letter-carriers?” The sportsmen modestly replied, “I cannot say, sir; perhaps I may.” Now it is well known that a rogue-elephant is always a formidable animal; but onerecentlydriven from a herd by a stronger bull is particularly dangerous. In his malignant rage he often wantonly attacks whatever he sees; and there are several instances of his having displayed extraordinary patience in waiting for imprisoned men who had climbed into trees, or retreated into caves, to avoid his fury.
452. The elephant the Governor referred to was, at that time, the terror of the surrounding neighbourhood; for when maddened by jealousy and rage at being expelled after a severe conflict from the harem, and smarting from the blows and wounds inflicted by his more powerful rival, he had ventured to attack an unfortunate labourer, and finding how slight was the resistance offered, he had since sought opportunities for wreaking his vengeance on man, of whom he had now lost all his former instinctive dread.
453. About four o’clock, as the Governor, LadyB——g, and the staff, &c., were seated at dinner, which was nearly over, a message that caused some excitement among the hearers was delivered toK——g. The Governor inquired about it.K——gexplained that the Shircarree set as a watch had reported that the much dreaded “Rogue” had just left the jungle and appeared upon the plain.K——gasked leave to attack him. LadyB——gbegged that, escorted by a few gentlemen, she might be allowed to watch his proceedings from some safe spot. ThisK——gacceded to, but stipulated that he was then to be left entirely to himself. On getting a view of the low ground, and observing several herds of elephants scattered over the extensive plain, her ladyship became nervous, and returned to the encampment. Her brother, Mr.B——tand Mr. G. (now living in London) remained; andK——gplaced them in a secure position amidst some trees standing too close together to admit of the elephant’s forcing his large body through, should he be merely wounded, and perchance take that direction.
454. After carefully examining the localities,K——gmade a détour to prevent the “Rogue” from winding him. There was some brushwood, but no trees, to cover his approach. The vindictive solitary animal was apparently brooding over his wrongs in an open space rich with the luxuriant vegetation consequent on tropical rains. He began to feed, striking the ground with each fore-foot alternately, in order to loosen the grass from the soil. He then collected the herbage with his trunk; but before carrying the mass to hismouth, shook it carefully to free the roots from earth. This gaveK——gthe opportunity, stealthily and creeping low, to get undetected about twenty paces in rear of him. There he knelt and anxiously awaited the turn of the head that should expose some spot not completely protecting the brain.
455. Long did he watch, for the elephant, when not engaged in feeding, stood motionless, save an occasional whisk of his cord-like tail, or the flopping of his huge ears. At times, however, he would slightly bend his head when with his proboscis scattering sand over his body, in order to drive off some troublesome insect; at which moment the hopeful sportsman would noiselessly cock his piece, but only to again half-cock it in disappointment.
ELEPHANT KILLED.
456. Messrs. B. and G. became impatient. They fancied the elephant must have stolen away; and a peacock happening to fly over their heads, they fired at it. On hearing the noise, the elephant wheeled, and perceivedK——g. He curled his trunk under his neck, lowered his head, and charged. The most vulnerable spot was thus presented.K——g’sbarrel was deliberately poised,—a cool aim taken, and the trigger pulled;—but it yielded not!K——gfelt, he told me, “a choking sensation”—certain death was before him; but instantly remembering that he had replaced the piece on half-cock, he brought it from his shoulder—full-cocked it—raised it again to level—and with unshaken nerve, and unerring precision, a second time covered the vulnerable spot. Down with a tremendous crash dropped the ponderous brute, first on his knees, then on his chest; and with such speed was he charging that he almost made a complete somerset in the act of falling stone dead near the feet of his comparatively puny conqueror—vanquished by skill and cool intrepidity.
457. The party on descending foundK——gendeavouring to climb up the enormous carcass. They feared the animal might be only stunned, butK——gsatisfied them by probing to its brain with his ramrod in the direction the bullet had taken.
458. Colonel W. (the Q. Master General), who was of the party, made a spirited sketch of the scene. I have more than once admired it. It is admirably done in red chalk.K——gis seen standing upon the prostrate elephant, and a number of the natives are represented in their picturesque costumes, making grateful salaams to the “brave sahib” who had slain their formidable enemy. Underneath the sketch is written “The Mighty King.”
459. My friend’s nerves were so little affected by his narrow escape that he killed two more elephants the same evening, and wounded another. It was a long shot across the river. The animal was feeding.K——gwaited to aim until he could bring its temple so low as to align with the elbow, when the head would be in a favourable position for a well-directed ball to penetrate to the brain. But the two oz. bullet missed the temple; it, however, struck the elbow and fractured the bone. Darkness was gradually coming on,—the river was full of alligators,—there was no bridge,—andK——gwas unwillingly compelled to defer despatching thepoor creature until daylight the next morning. He left it ineffectually endeavouring to make use of the fractured limb by frequently lifting it with his trunk and placing it in front.
THE MIGHTY KING.—Par.458.
THE MIGHTY KING.—Par.458.
460. Colonel W., whose artistic sketch shows that he was an undeniable hand at the pencil, whatever he might be with the rifle, was ambitious of being able to say he had killed an elephant. He, therefore, begged leave to give the wounded animal itscoup de grace. It was found wallowing in an adjacent buffalo hole. Colonel W. got within twelve yards of it, but bespattered by the mud the disabled beast threw over him—the novel and only defence it could make—his aim was so uncertain, that, after all,K——ghad to put the sufferer out of its misery.
461. Colonel W.’s ambition recalls to my mind a singular advertisement, though I cannot think that even he would have answered it had he been in London at the time. It appeared in the papers many years ago, but was too ludicrous not to be still in the recollection of many. A perfumer in Bishopsgate Street Without, gave notice in conspicuous characters “to SPORTSMEN,” that a splendid Bear was to be killed on his premises, at which they might have a shot by paying,—I now forget what exact sum.
ASIATIC AND AFRICAN ELEPHANTS.
462. I am told that an examination of the skulls of the Asiatic and African elephants would show a marked difference between the two, and explain why the latter animal cannot be instantaneously killed. In the Asiatic elephant there is a spot about the size of a man’s hand between and somewhat above the eyes, where a bulletcan easily penetrate to the brain when the head is carried low; whereas the brain, it is said, of the African elephant is as effectually guarded on the forehead as elsewhere. This might be inferred from a perusal of Gordon Cumming’s exciting book. Murray would not print many of the startling anecdotes related in the manuscript, fearing they might throw discredit upon the work. But it is, I think, to be regretted that he did not trust more to the discernment of the public; and to the strong internal evidence of truthfulness afforded in the descriptions given of the habits of the various beasts which the author had singular opportunities of observing.
463. The mention of Gordon Cumming’s name, which is naturally associated with feats of cool daring, leads one to speak of an old fellow-sportsman of his at the Cape of Good Hope. Doubtless there are men of whom it may be almost averred that they know not the sensation of fear. Of this number was Gordon Cumming’s friend Captain G. B.M——eof the 45th. Alas! we must say “was,” for that brave heart has ceased to beat.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER.“Made the Caffre boy behind him pull the deadly trigger.”—Par.464.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER.“Made the Caffre boy behind him pull the deadly trigger.”—Par.464.
464. Whilst quartered with his regiment at the Cape,M——etook constant opportunities of encountering single-handed the real lords of the forest in their own wild domain; and numerous are the stories told by his brother officers of his hair-breadth escapes. Gordon Gumming and he often shot together; and I have heard it said that at a time when his left arm was so much injured as to be perfectly useless, he went close up to a lion, which was standing over Cumming’s prostrate body, and with his right hand aiming at the animal’s heart made the Caffre boy behind him pull the deadly trigger. And does not the little fellow’s heroic conduct, who placed such implicit confidence in his master’s address and nerve, claim much of our admiration!
ENCOUNTER WITH LION.
465.M——e’scourage was reckless. Having more than once failed in getting a shot at a formidable lion which had committed great ravages, and was reported to be of immense size, he determined upon tracking the beast to his rocky fastness, and forcing him to a hand-to-hand combat in his very den. One morning a recent spoor[89]enabled him to find the cave he sought, the entrance of which was so contracted that in order not wholly to exclude the light, he was compelled to lie down and crawl in upon his elbows. Pushing the muzzle of his gun before him, slowly, inch by inch he crept on, expecting every moment to see the large, glaring, cat-like eye-balls, or to hear the menacing growl. His sight becoming more accustomed to the gloom, he was enabled to scan every crevice, and was satisfied that the master of the habitation could not have yet returned from his nocturnal rambles. Bones of large size were strewn about, as well as others whose suspicious appearance prompted the involuntary reflection that the absent animal was in very truth the dreaded “man-eater” who had so long baffled all pursuit.Nothing daunted, but rather aroused by the thought to an increased determination to destroy the monster,M——eresolved quietly to await his return.
466. Hour after hour passes. The shades of evening fall. The bark of the jackal and the howlings of the hyæna, showing the advance of night, meet his ear,—but not the longed-for roar of the expected lion. Surely he will again seek his lair while the bright moon yet favours the intrepid sportsman. No—he comes not. Complete darkness sets in—darkness intense in that deep recess;—but ere long the discordant screams of the peacock announce the early dawn, and after a while the hot beams of the sun again hush all into silence, save the busy hum of innumerable insects. Horrible suspense! The weary hours drag on—still he returns not; and there still sitsM——e, but not the man he was. Anxious excitement—want of sleep—and, above all, the deprivation of bodily stimulants, have done their work. He was agitated and unnerved. To quote his own words when afterwards recounting the adventure, he “would have given worlds to have been away, or to have had a flask of brandy.” What madness, he thought, could have tempted him to seek such certain destruction? Had the taint of his feet raised the animal’s suspicions? Was his presence detected? And was the shaggy monster watching outside, crouching low, ready to spring when his victim should be forced by hunger to emerge? Quit he dare not; yet to remain with nerves unstrung was terrible. In his diseased state of mind imagination conjured up awfully harrowing scenes in which man in his feebleness had succumbed;—and was it really decreed that his crushed bones should mingle unhonoured and unnoticed with the heap around him? Hours that seemed days of torture passed away—again the sun reached the zenith—again it sets—and again it shines upon the remains of huge limbs, and upon those of slighter mould that bear a fearfully close resemblance to his own! The sun has sunk behind the summit of the distant hills, already the short twilight commences. Can he survive another night of horrors, or shall he, risking all, rush forth.
467. Suddenly a deep and angry growl is heard. It acts as music upon his soul—his nerves are at once restored to their pristine firmness—strong is his pulse—steady his hand; his countenance lights up with hope and animation; and as the cave is darkened by the entrance of its legitimate but no longer dreaded owner, the favourite barrels are deliberately levelled with the accustomed deadly aim.
A REGULAR BORE.“Dropped upon his right knee,—brought his firelock to the charging position.”—Par.468.
A REGULAR BORE.“Dropped upon his right knee,—brought his firelock to the charging position.”—Par.468.
ENCOUNTER WITH BOAR.
468. The Hindoos, who are naturally an inoffensive timid race, have an almost fabulous reverence for the courage of Europeans, whom they often term fighting devils—an epithet applied in no disparaging way, but, on the contrary, as the highest of compliments. The Assistant-surgeon (B——h) and a Lieutenant (D——n), of a regiment to which I once belonged on the Indian establishment, were travelling up the country. On arriving early one morning at their breakfast tent (which had been sent forward as usual thepreceding evening), they were met by the Cutwal and principal men of the small village, bearing a trifling present of fruit. After many salaams, the deputation said that the villagers were in the greatest distress,—that an enormous wild boar and a sow had taken up their abode in the neighbouring sugar plantation,—that the crop was fully ripe, but that whenever the labourers ventured in to cut the canes they were driven out by a charge of the swine; that the whole body, women as well as men, had united more than once in an attempt to alarm the intruders with the noise of tomtoms, cholera horns, firing of matchlocks, &c., but that the unclean brutes would not leave, and that the inhabitants had nearly resigned all hope of saving the crop, when they had the happiness of hearing that an English officer was expected, who, as a matter of course, could have no objection to shoot the vicious animals.D——nandB——hwillingly consented to start directly after breakfast. The former was a keen sportsman, but the latter had never fired a gun; however, he said he would do his best; and being furnished with an old musket, he sallied forth “at fixed bayonets.” Almost the moment they entered the cover a crashing noise warned them to be on their guard. The boar, without an instant’s hesitation, rushed at the invaders, making a special selection of the individual least accustomed to arms.B——h, in no way daunted, dropped upon his right knee,—brought his firelock to the charging position,—and calmly waited to pull trigger until the formidable beast was so close upon the bayonet, that he knocked the piece out ofB——h’sgrasp, and sent him spinning heels over head. On regaining his feet,B——hfound that his formidable adversary was already dead; the bayonet, much bent in the encounter, was buried deep in his huge chest; and subsequent examination showed that the ball had severed his heart into two nearly equal portions. The sow had apparently quickly become aware of the mischance that had befallen her mate, for she ignominiously fled from the field at her best pace. In reply to the thanks, congratulations, and encomiums bestowed upon the worthy Assistant-surgeon for his success and admirable coolness, he quietly observed, that all was well that ended well; that it was an awful beast; and that he would take precious good care never voluntarily to encounter such another;—that he had had his first shot, and fervently hoped it would be his last.
GREYHOUNDS AND KANGAROO.
469. To hark back, however, to our subject. Greyhounds of a large rough kind are trained in some parts of Australia to course the kangaroo. A kangaroo when he is brought to bay[90]would disable a great number of dogs, however bold and strong they might be, should they incautiously attack him in front: for while he is sitting upon his hind-quarters, or standing upright, he can by one blow, or rather strike of his hind-leg, which is furnished with huge claws, tear open the strongest greyhound from the chest downwards; and many dogs have been thus killed. As soon, therefore, as a large kangaroo is seen, awell-educatedbrace of greyhounds areslipped. For some time, by a succession of enormous bounds, the animal keeps far ahead of his pursuers—especially when running up hill, where he is as much favoured by his long hind-legs as a hare is by hers,—and all are soon lost to the sight of unmounted hunters. When he has been overtaken and brought to bay, one of the trained dogs keeps him there; and this he does barking round and round him, threatening every moment to fly at him. The other dog returns to the hunters, and leads them to the spot where his companion is detaining the kangaroo: and so completely does the noisy assailant engage the attention of the unfortunate beast, that the hunters are frequently enabled to approach unperceived, and stun him with a blow over the head. An old kangaroo is there termed by the hunters “an old man;”[91]the flesh of a young one is, however, by many considered very delicate eating. A powerful dog will kill a small kangaroo single-handed; and if properly taught, will then seek for his master, and conduct him to the body.
GREYHOUNDS, FALCON, AND DEER.
470. In Persia and many parts of the East greyhounds are taught to assist the falcon in the capture of deer. When brought within good view of a herd the bird is flown, and at the same moment the dog is slipped. The rapid sweep of the falcon soon carries him far in advance. It is the falcon who makes the selection of the intended victim,—which appears to be a matter of chance,—and a properly-trained greyhound will give chase to none other, however temptingly close the alarmed animals may pass him. The falcon is instructed to aim at the head only of the gazelle, who soon becomes bewildered; sometimes receiving considerable injury from the quick stroke of its daring adversary. Before long the gazelle is overtaken by the greyhound. It is not always easy to teach a dog to avoid injuring the bird, which is so intent upon its prey as utterly to disregard the approach of the hound. Death would probably be the penalty adjudged to him for so heinous an offence; for a well-trained falcon is of great value. You can readily imagine that neither it nor the greyhound could be properly broken unless the instructor possessed much judgment and perseverance. The sport is very exciting; but the spectator must be well-mounted, and ride boldly who would closely watch the swift, varying evolutions of the assailing party, and the sudden evasions of the helpless defendant. The education of this falcon is conducted on the same principle as that of the cheeta.—(Note to284.) The lure is a stuffed gazelle. It is placed at gradually increased distances. The raw meat is fixed between its eyes, and the concluding lessons terminate with the sacrifice of a few tame or maimed deer; a portion of whose warm flesh is given to the bird as a reward for his aid in recapturing the unfortunate creatures.
THERE ARE BOUNDS TO SPORT.“By a succession of enormous bounds, the animal keeps far ahead.”—Par.469
THERE ARE BOUNDS TO SPORT.“By a succession of enormous bounds, the animal keeps far ahead.”—Par.469
BARBUDA CUB.
471. An officer, quartered at Antigua, used occasionally to obtain permission to shoot on an island called Barbuda, in the possession of Sir Bethel Codrington. It is a strange spot,—a coral rock justemerging from the sea, its highest point being no more than one hundred and twenty feet above the water. The horses, cattle, and everything on the island are wild, save the manager and two overseers, its only white inhabitants. The former (I speak of the year 1835) was a splendidly built man, not very refined, but full of energy, an excellent shot, and an indefatigable sportsman. No Indian had a keener eye for a trail. A turned leaf or a broken twig told him the path, and almost the distance, of the hog or deer which he was pursuing through the dark intricacies of stunted trees, cactus, and long grass, with which the island is, in a great measure, covered. A small mangy-looking mongrel, with a long thin muzzle, and lanky body, always accompanied him. The sagacity of this brute, and his powers of scenting game, were most remarkable. He generally walked about ten yards in front of his master, and suddenly throwing his nose high in the air, would quicken his pace, and trot up wind. Gradually again his pace would slacken,—the trot was changed to a walk, the walk to stealthy creeping, when he would raise each foot with the greatest caution, putting it down as noiselessly as though shod with velvet, most carefully avoiding the crisp leaves and dry twigs, for fear of making the slightest sound. Presently he would stand stock-still (the inclination to point is, I think, more general among dogs than many men suppose) and look at his master; but he never did this unless the game was well within shot. His master would now peer closely round, and his eagle-eye never failed to detect the tip of a horn, or a dappled spot, showing where a fallow-deer was feeding. If there was a flock of Guinea-birds,[92](which are numerous in Barbuda,) the sagaciouslittle creature would wait until the gun was close to him, and then, to prevent their running, would dash in and spring them.
WARM GREETING OF A GREAT ‘BORE.’—Par.472.
WARM GREETING OF A GREAT ‘BORE.’—Par.472.
CUR AND WILD HOG.
472. If a hog was in the wind, the cur dashed off immediately, following the animal until it stopped at bay, when a shrill bark warned the sportsman of the scene of action. The tiny animal had many a scar on his rugged hide, cut by hogs, with whose ears and heels he frequently took liberties; but, up to the time that the officer left that part of the world, the dog had escaped serious injury by his good generalship and activity. He certainly had a very just estimate of his own physical powers, for with young porkers he stood on little ceremony, rushing into them at once, and worrying and holding them until the hunter came to his assistance.
473. You might draw a useful moral from this long story by considering for a moment what kind of sport our Creole acquaintance would have had, and what number of Guinea-birds, wild hogs, and deer (capital shot as he was) he would have killed in the year, hadhe been obliged tospeakto the little cur when hunting. The calculation, I fancy, would not be found difficult from the number of figures employed in the enumeration.
474. You may think the foregoing a tough yarn, but I have now in my mind an instance of sagacity in a Newfoundland, apparently so much less entitled to credence, that I should be afraid to tell it (though the breed is justly celebrated for its remarkable docility and intelligence), if its truth could not be vouched for by Capt.L——n, one of the best officers in the navy; and who, when I had the gratification of sailing with him, commanded that noble ship, the “Vengeance.”