58 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



fellow than this said Fred G , and here, after 



such a lapse of time, we were about to meet 

 thousands of miles away from home. He was to 

 be our guide, as he knew the country about 

 Mussoorie well, having hunted all over it with 

 Colonel Markham, the late gallant old commandant 

 of H. M.'s 32nd Foot, who, alas for his friends ! has 

 now gone " to that bourne from whence no traveller 

 returns." 



Three is, in many respects, the best number for 

 a shooting party, as it not only allows all the mem- 

 bers to participate in any conversation that may 

 take place, but, in case of argument or indecision 

 of action, gives a majority ; besides, three cots can 

 be stowed very comfortably in a hill-tent, but not 

 four : three can, in most cases, hunt well together; 

 and lastly, three well-armed Europeans, with their 

 attendants, form a little army in themselves, and in 

 case of need, can hold their own against any 

 marauding attempts by predatory hill tribes. 



Toward three in the afternoon we again got 

 into our palanquins, and made a start for the 

 Dehra Doon, which we entered by the Kheeree or 



