In the afternoon both officers and men are, as a rule, free to amuse themselves with such sport and games as may seem good to them.  Round and about Mardan there is fairly good small-game shooting, the game-book in a good year showing over three thousand head shot by the officers.  Amongst these are wild duck of many varieties, wild geese, snipe, partridges, hare, and quail.

The ancient and royal sport of falconry, which long flourished, has of late years become much restricted owing to the increase of cultivation.  One of the highest forms of falconry, and one little known in other countries, was the pursuit of the ravine deer.  Only falcons reared from the nest could be trained to this sport, and they had to be obtained from far off Central Asia.  The falcon used was the Cherug, or Saker as she is known in Europe, and the method of training is interesting.  From the nest upwards the bird was taught that the only possible place to obtain food was from between a pair of antlers.  At first fed sitting between them, as she learnt to flutter she was encouraged to bridge a short gap to her dinner.  Then, as she grew stronger, she flew short distances to get her food as before.  The next step was the use of a stuffed deer on wheels, which, when the hawk was loosed, was run along, and thus accustomed her to the idea of movement in getting her food.  At the same time she was accustomed to the presence of greyhounds, for without the aid of these she would never be able to bring down her quarry.  For the Pathan saying is:  “The first day a ravine deer is born a fleet man may catch it; the second day a dog; and the third day no one!”

The hawks, which were flown in pairs, were now taken into the field, keen set, to use a term in falconry; that is very hungry, but not weakened or disheartened by hunger.  Directly a herd of deer was sighted the hawks were cast loose, and, soaring up, soon descried a seemingly familiar object with a pair of antlers, between which there was doubtless a delicious meal.  Off, therefore, they went straight for the quarry, and, stooping, struck for the deer’s antlers.  Naturally, however, no bird of that size could bring a deer to earth, or even stop him unaided; but the hawks had done their initial work, and the riders, with a couple of greyhounds leashed to the stirrup, rode hard for the spot where the hawks were striking, and let slip the hounds.

The rattle of hoofs at once stampeded the deer, and then the chase began.  The hawks, in turn towering and stooping, showed the line to take, for the deer was invisible to the dogs, and generally to the riders.  But the dogs had learnt to work by the hawks, and cutting a corner here, or favoured by a jink there, gradually closed up, the part of the hawks being, by constant striking, to delay and confuse the deer.  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