11 



CHAPTEE II. 



OUTPOST OF SHORE THE THAKIL HIMALAYAN WOODCOCKS WOOD-SNIPE 

 WOODCOCK CARRYING ITS YOUNG CHUCKOR PARTRIDGES A 

 HAUNTED HOUSE WHAT HAPPENED IN IT HUNTING SUPERSTI- 

 TIONS "THE RAINS" LEECHES HIMALAYAN BLACK BEAR A 



BEAR-HUNT BEAR-SHOOTING IN THE OAK-TREES A SHE-BEAR 

 PUNISHES HER CUB THE SLOTH-BEAR ITS SAVAGE PRANKS- 

 HUNGRY JACKALS BEAR KILLED WITH SMALL-SHOT A SHE-BEAR 

 TO THE RESCUE VILLAGERS MAULED BY BEARS RESULT OF A 

 PRACTICAL JOKE A CUNNING OLD BRUIN VILLAGE BEEHIVES 

 TIGER-CHARMS A TIGER TALE FABLES ABOUT BRUIN WHERE 

 TO HIT HIM. 



THE outpost of Shore, or Pithoragarh, as it is officially termed, 

 at which I had arrived, is situated in a pretty, basin-shaped, 

 green valley, about eight miles in circumference, at an alti- 

 tude of somewhat over 5000 feet. The valley is encircled by 

 high hills, except where a wide gap to the north-east discloses 

 a beautiful glimpse of the snowy range. The post consists of a 

 small British-built fort, and a stockade perched on an adjacent 

 eminence ; a few native shops ; the huts for the detachment 

 quartered there ; and three dwelling-houses for the officers. 

 The only benefit, probably, ever derived from the fort was by 

 the individual who took the contract for building it, as it is 

 completely commanded from higher ground, and there ap- 

 peared to be no efficient arrangement for the supply of water. 

 As for the stockade, I could never discover what was its 

 builder's intention, even from the oldest inhabitant. 



Black bears and other large game were plentiful at that 



