138 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



the argus, or horned pheasant, which he had killed 

 high up on the mountain. This was the only shot 

 he had fired, for although he had seen a flock of 

 several gooral, they were so wild that he could not 

 get near them. Towards sunset Fred returned, 

 having killed a fine old male thaar, and two musk 

 deer, besides wounding a bear, which escaped by 

 taking refuge in a cave. After dinner we all 

 assembled round the camp-fire to discuss the events 

 of the day and our hopes for the morrow. Since 

 that evening long years have rolled, yet it is not 

 forgotten. Four head of thaar bagged in four 

 consecutive shots made it a red-letter day in my 

 calendar. Since then both my merry companions 

 have passed away on their last journey. Fred, as 

 no doubt he would have best chosen, for in fair 

 battle his noble heart was stilled, and face to face 

 with the foe his strong arm fell nerveless ; whilst 

 the Doctor, also cut off" in the performance of his 

 duty, fell a victim to that insidious scourge of India, 

 cholera. Yet the last of the trio, who has also 

 battled against the same chances, has been per- 

 mitted to return, like a ship to its old moorings, 



