BEARS AT SAKRAPATAM. 373 



Kuddoor district of Mysore. There is a high conical hill at this place, rising 

 about 1500 feet above the plain, furrowed with deep water-courses and 

 sparsely covered with stunted trees. Near its summit are several detached 

 rocks, and occasional caves, in which, and in the dry water-courses, bears 

 had their homes. At the foot of the hill is a large lake called Iyen- 

 kerry, formed by an embankment thrown across a narrow gorge between 

 the large hill and a smaller one. This bund obstructs the waters of the 

 valley, and forms a splendid lake about five miles in circumference, orna- 

 mented with two or three well-wooded islands. From the far shore rise 

 the Bababooden hills, clothed with forest. 



This artificial lake is a work of great antiquity. Its waters are drawn 

 off by a sluice through the embankment for irrigating the land (many 

 square miles in extent) below it, which is cultivated with rice-fields, and 

 betel, areca, and cocoa-nut gardens. A good deal of land which was tilled 

 in former days has relapsed into jungle from the decrease or desertion 

 of population, probably owing to Mahratta invasions and other troubles 

 upwards of a hundred years ago. Much of it is now covered with date- 

 trees, from which hcnda is drawn. This liquor and the fruit of the trees, 

 together with the patches of sugar-cane, jak fruit, and other products of the 

 gardens, formed a combination of attractions too great for the virtue of the 

 bears in the adjacent hill, and they had abandoned themselves to the habit 

 of making almost nightly predatory excursions in search of these dainties. 



Having ascertained this failing of theirs, and procured two good trackers, 

 I proceeded one morning before daybreak with a friend, Captain M., to way- 

 lay the robbers on their return from their nefarious enjoyments. M. took 

 up his position on a commanding spur of the hill near the bottom, I on 

 another half a mile distant, and as daylight advanced we scanned the plain 

 below us for the returning depredators. I had not been at my post long 

 before a native who was with me saw a bear engaged in turning over stones 

 (for insects) about half a mile above us on the hillside. We had a steep 

 ascent to make, and did it at pace, when I found myself within fifty yards 

 of the still unconscious bear. After resting for a few minutes I fired, but 

 I was not very steady, and only broke his forearm, bringing him down the 

 hillside with lugubrious howls. At this another bear — his mate, which had 

 been hidden till now — came shuffling after him, yelling in concert. Poor 

 creatures, they certainly stand by each other in all their trials ! I stepped 

 forward to meet the she, when she charged without hesitation. I brained 

 her in the attitude in which she was advancing, and then ran after my 

 wounded bird. I soon caught him up, when he made a show of charging. 

 I reserved my fire so as to kill him neatly at the muzzle, but he turned 



