It was a hard ride and a fine combination which secured the quarry, and,
as with all sport worth the name, it was even chances on the deer. When
the combination failed and the deer got away, it was a bit of human
nature to see the meeting between the hawks and the dogs. The hawks
would be sitting on the ground or on a bush, evidently and unmistakably
using language of the most sulphurous nature; while the dogs came up,
their tongues out, their tails between their legs, and with a general
air of exhaustion, dejection, and apology. As they slunk up the muttered
curses broke forth: "You! you lazy hound! Call yourself a greyhound!
You're a fat-tailed sheep, that's what you are, nothing more!" And up
would get friend hawk and cuff and strike and harry that poor dog, till
he fairly yelped and fled to his master for protection.
Duck and bustard still afford sport to the falconer, but he has to work
further afield, and gets less in return than in the olden times. The
bustard gives good sport, and often a good run of three or four miles;
indeed there is on record a case of an eleven mile point.
On the mountain range which lies close to Mardan markhor are to be
found, and some good heads have been shot; while in the lower slopes
good bags of chikore, black and grey partridge, and rock-pigeons may be
obtained. There are two of the best polo-grounds in India, and the
Guides can generally put up a good team or two to compete in the various
tournaments, and generally one or more challenge-cups are to be seen on
their mess table.
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