The following instance will show you how assiduously B.-P. practises scouting, and will also give you an idea as to beguiling your next country walk.

    Ground: A well-frequented road in an Indian
        hill-station—­dry—­gravel, grit, and sand.

    Atmosphere: Bright and dry, no wind.

    Time: 6 A.M. to 8 A.M.

    Signs:  Fresh Wheelmarks. [Fresh because the tracks were
        clearly defined with sharp edges in the sand; they overrode
        all other tracks.]

          [This must mean a “rickshaw” (hand-carriage) had passed
        this morning—­no other carriages are used at this
        station.]

          Going Forward. [Because there are tracks of bare feet,
        some ridden over, others overriding the wheel track, but
        always keeping along it, i.e. two men pulling in front,
        two pushing behind.]

          [Had they been independent wayfarers they would have
        walked on the smooth, beaten part of the road.]

          The men were going at a walk. (Because the impression of
        the fore part of the foot is no deeper than that of the
        heel, and the length of pace not long enough for running.)

          One man wore shoes, the remaining three were barefooted.

          One wheel was a little wobbly.

Deduction

    The track was that of a rickshaw conveying an invalid in
        comparatively humble circumstances, for a constitutional.

    Because it went at a slow pace, along a circular road which led
        nowhere in particular (it had passed the cemetery and the
        only house along that road), at an early hour of the
        morning, the rickshaw being in a groggy state and the men
        not uniformly dressed.

    NOTE.—­This deduction proved correct.  On returning from my walk
  I struck the same track (i.e. the wobbly wheel and the one shod
  man) on another road, going ahead of me.  I soon overtook them,
  and found an old invalid lady being driven in a hired bazaar
  rickshaw.

    While following the tracks of the rickshaw, I noticed fresh
  tracks of two horses coming towards me, followed by a big dog.

    They had passed since the rickshaw (overriding its tracks).

    They were cantering (two single hoof-prints, and then two near
        together).

    A quarter of a mile farther on they were walking for a quarter
        of a mile. (Hoof-prints in pairs a yard apart.) Here the dog
        dropped behind, and had to make up lost ground by galloping
        up to them. (Deep impression of his claws, and dirt kicked
        up.)