IMPROMPTU BEAR HUNT. 103 



spicuous, for a band had been provided ; and al- 

 though a gentleman (whom it was presumed had 

 corns, or whose parents had not paid the extra 

 twopence for accomplishments,) was heard to observe 

 that there was not plain enough to swing a cat 

 round, waltzes, quadrilles, polkas, and country- 

 dances followed each other in rapid succession, 

 which again gave place to sundry games, such as 

 blind-man's buff, forfeits, and hunt-the-slipper, the 

 old hands enjoying the fun as much as the young 

 ones. Whilst we were all sitting in a circle en- 

 gaged in the latter amusement, a servant, having 

 intense excitement depicted in his countenance, 

 came up with the intelligence that a large bear 

 had just been seen making his way down a nullah 

 close at hand. Immediately all who had brought 

 guns with them started off and followed up the 

 trail, which was soon found, evidently quite fresh, 

 and after a sharp run he was caught sight of lei- 

 surely picking his way up a deep sot or cleft in the 

 side of a low hill, at about a hundred yards distant. 

 A young officer of the Ghoorka corps, stationed at 

 Dehra, who had outstripped the rest in running, 



