AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE. 225 



to take place. Whilst our attention was engrossed 

 in watching these proceedings, an ejaculation from 

 the Chaoush caught my ear, and, turning my head, 

 I saw a hare, evidently much exhausted, coming 

 towards us, pursued by two greyhounds. They 

 killed within fifty yards of where we were standing, 

 and Fritz and I having secured both dogs with our 

 pocket handkerchiefs, picked up the hare, and hid 

 ourselves behind a patch of bush, to watch events. 

 We were well-armed. Fritz had a double gun 

 and a revolver ; I had a double rifle, one of the best 

 that was ever turned out by the Bishop of Bond 

 Street, and another revolver ; whilst the Arnaout 

 carried my Colt's six shooter in addition to his own 

 carbine. In a few minutes a horseman, whose flat 

 cap and gray coat sufliciently announced his na- 

 tionality, suddenly made his appearance on the 

 crest of a rising ground, at the best pace which his 

 tired horse could go. Evidently disconcerted at 

 the disappearance of his dogs, he pulled up, and 

 must have been anything but agreeably surprised 

 to see three barrels pointed at his breast, whilst 

 Fritz, who had a smattering of Russian, peremp- 



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