DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3461#0155
143 THE WILD SPORTS OF INDIA.
The ordinary charge of a gun at those long ranges
would not carry a ball up with any certainty; and if
the gun be of solid materials (and no other should be
used in such break-neck places), two and a halt
drachms of powder will not be too much for a ball ot
eighteen to the pound.
" Double-barrelled guns at long ranges are not true
to the aim taken along the plate, between the barrels;
for each barrel being thicker at the breech than at the
muzzle, slopes slightly inwards, so that the fire of the
two will meet and cross at a certain distance. The
difference, it is true, is not great; but when added to
the various other considerations which affect the ac-
curacy of ball practice at long ranges, it is of much
importance."
The wild buffalo affords rare sport—in fact, there is
none superior to it, from the ferocity and great strength
of the animal, and the noble trophy his death places in
the hands of his destroyer. The immense curved horns
of the buffalo, sometimes measuring six feet in length,
proudly decorate the hall of the sportsman who has
been fortunate enough to slay one of the monsters.
These buffalos are awfully destructive to the crops and
the sugar-cane, and it is therefore under great circum-
stances of rejoicing that the ryot witnesses their immo-
lation.
The chase of the deer in India admits of much
variety. In Southern India greyhounds are employed
in coursing antelopes. In Central India and the plains
in the north-west, the cheeta, or hunting leopard, is
used; while in the hills, where the deer are large and
fierce, stalking- is adopted, much upon the same prin-
ciple and after the same manner with similar sport in
the Highlands of Scotland. But many persons prefer
shooting the deer, even in the plains, albeit, from the
excessive vigilance and timidity of the race, it requires
great caution and no inconsiderable degree of patience.
The ordinary charge of a gun at those long ranges
would not carry a ball up with any certainty; and if
the gun be of solid materials (and no other should be
used in such break-neck places), two and a halt
drachms of powder will not be too much for a ball ot
eighteen to the pound.
" Double-barrelled guns at long ranges are not true
to the aim taken along the plate, between the barrels;
for each barrel being thicker at the breech than at the
muzzle, slopes slightly inwards, so that the fire of the
two will meet and cross at a certain distance. The
difference, it is true, is not great; but when added to
the various other considerations which affect the ac-
curacy of ball practice at long ranges, it is of much
importance."
The wild buffalo affords rare sport—in fact, there is
none superior to it, from the ferocity and great strength
of the animal, and the noble trophy his death places in
the hands of his destroyer. The immense curved horns
of the buffalo, sometimes measuring six feet in length,
proudly decorate the hall of the sportsman who has
been fortunate enough to slay one of the monsters.
These buffalos are awfully destructive to the crops and
the sugar-cane, and it is therefore under great circum-
stances of rejoicing that the ryot witnesses their immo-
lation.
The chase of the deer in India admits of much
variety. In Southern India greyhounds are employed
in coursing antelopes. In Central India and the plains
in the north-west, the cheeta, or hunting leopard, is
used; while in the hills, where the deer are large and
fierce, stalking- is adopted, much upon the same prin-
ciple and after the same manner with similar sport in
the Highlands of Scotland. But many persons prefer
shooting the deer, even in the plains, albeit, from the
excessive vigilance and timidity of the race, it requires
great caution and no inconsiderable degree of patience.