betake themselves then to some patch of
grass, or long-crop outside the jungle altogether, and if you want them
in those months, it is in such places, and not inside the forest at
all, that you must search. Like all the deer tribe, they are very
curious, and a bit of rag tied to a tree, or a cloth put over a bush,
will not unfrequently entice them within range.

Old shekarries will tell you that as long as the deer go on feeding and
flapping their ears, you may continue your approach. As soon as they
throw up the head, and keep the ears still, their suspicions have been
aroused, and if you want venison, you must be as still as a rock, till
your game is again lulled into security, As soon as the ears begin
flapping again, you may continue your stalk, but at the slightest
noise, the noble buck will be off like a flash of lightning. You should
never go out in the forest with white clothes, as you are then a
conspicuous mark for all the prying eyes that are invisible to you. The
best colour is dun brown, dark grey, or dark green. When you see a deer
has become suspicious, and no cover is near, stand perfectly erect and
rigid, and do not leave your legs apart. The 'forked-parsnip' formation
of the 'human form divine' is detected at a glance, but there's just a
chance that if your legs are drawn together, and you remain perfectly
motionless, you may be mistaken for the stump of a tree, or at the best
some less dangerous enemy than man.

As we rode slowly along, to allow the beaters to get ahead, and to let
the heavily-laden men with the nets keep up with us, we were amused to
hear the remarks of the syces and shekarries on the sport they had just
witnessed. Pat's old man, Juggroo, a merry peep-eyed fellow, full of
anecdote and humour, was rather hard on Mehrman Singh for having been
up late the preceding night. Mehrman, whose head was by this time
probably reminding him that there are 'lees to every cup,' did not seem
to relish the humour. He began grasping one wrist with the other hand,
working his hand slowly round his wrist, and I noticed that Juggroo
immediately changed the subject. This, as I afterwards learned, is the
invariable Nepaulese custom of showing anger. They grasp the wrist as I
have said, and it is taken as a sign that, if you do not discontinue
your banter, you will have a fight.

The Nepaulese are rather vain of their personal appearance, and hanker
greatly after a good thick moustache. This, nature has d