230 THE BONYAR VALLEY. 



who were carrying out the rites of hospitality to their fullest 

 extent, by escorting me as far as the confines of their pro- 

 perty. Their apparent concern, on hearing of my mishap, 

 was almost as great as that of the shikarees, and many were 

 the remedies suggested, which were about as useless as they 

 were well meant. 



I had considerable difficulty in getting out of my upper gar- 

 ments that night, and still more in getting into them again next 

 morning ; but as the Nawabs were bent on showing me a drive 

 for game, I was determined to try and go out, even although 

 I might be unable to use a gun, rather than disappoint them. 

 Fortunately, the place where Gamoo, as the Nawab's head 

 gamekeeper, planted me, was not far distant ; so I sat down at 

 the root of a pine-tree, there to await the advent of anything 

 that might turn up. The only animal that put in an appear- 

 ance was a half-grown black bear, at which I was able to 

 "loose off" by supporting the rifle against the trunk of the 

 tree beside me. I almost think I must have hit the beast, for 

 with a loud "yeeough" it staggered back and disappeared 

 down the hill. The Nawab and his brother, who were with 

 the beaters, had seen two musk-deer, but nothing was bagged. 

 My hospitable friends took their departure next morning, and 

 I proceeded on my way ; but I was forced to take matters 

 pretty easily for a day or two, from my shoulder being stiff 

 and painful to move. 



We had now descended into the Bonyar valley, towards the 

 head of which we turned our steps. At a cluster of huts 

 through which we passed, the highest inhabited place in the 

 glen, Gamoo picked up another assistant in a queer old image 

 of a man named Sultana. His looks, however, belied his 

 worth, for he turned out an excellent guide, and was thoroughly 

 well acquainted with the haunts and habits of the wild deni- 

 zens of his native mountains. 



A great part of our way was exceedingly steep, and would 

 have proved fatiguing in a hot June sun, had it not been for 



