12 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



I ventured to light the soothing pipe, and, whilst 

 discussing it, Lutchman asked me why I had fired 

 at the cubs instead of the big bear that was close 

 to me ? I said I did not understand him. 



* I only saw two cubs/ 



' Sahib/ he said, ' they were not what I saw ; 

 when I awoke you, there was another very big 

 bear not fifteen yards from you on this side of the 

 river.' 



What infernal bad luck, I thought ; for, in 

 watching the cubs, I had not seen the other bear, 

 and the cubs had, and were afraid to come on 

 whilst he was present. However, it could not be 

 helped ; so, making the best of matters, we both 

 composed ourselves for a snooze, and, as soon as 

 day broke, a fact we soon were made aware of by 

 the shrill crowing of numerous jungle-cocks, we 

 got up and went down to inspect our prize, which 

 proved to be a large female black bear with a 

 fine shaggy hide. Covering up the carcase with 

 branches to keep off the vultures, and tying my 

 handkerchief to a stick to warn off any prowling 

 jackal, we next inspected the spot where I had 

 fired at the cubs. The sand was all kicked up 

 by their scuffle, and there were a few drops of 

 blood, by now dry. We followed the tracks for 

 a short distance into the jungle, when the blood 

 ceased, and then, getting upon stony ground, all 



