THE PURSUIT. , 169 



growth of the canes, the hounds could make but slow 

 progress, while the weight and strength of the bear 

 enabled him to crash through the reeds, which closed 

 up again behind him. 



Most of the hunters, disregarding Uncle Ben's in- 

 junctions to remain at their posts, followed the pack, 

 the cane crashing beneath their tread, while the cry of 

 the hounds became fainter each minute. 



' Come along, lads I — he can't go far that way, the 

 river will stop him,' shouted Uncle Ben with a voice 

 as clear as a bell. ^ Come along, lads ! and we'll give 

 him pepper as he comes back. But don't keep to- 

 gether in a bunch ; spread out a bit.' 



After a sharp run made up of creeping and crawling 

 through the jungle, and running over the open space, 

 it became evident from the increasing distinctness of 

 the dogs' voices that the bear had turned back from , 

 the river, and was once more making his way towards 

 us on a course parallel to that which he had taken 

 before. Then the clamour seemed stationary for a 

 short time, then again it seemed as though he were 

 dodging backwards and forwards over nearly the same 

 ground. All pressed forward to intercept the bear, 

 and, if possible, get the first shot at him. At length a 

 continuous yelling and clamour proceeding from one 

 spot made it quite evident that the bear had either 

 come to bay or had ascended a tree. All hands 

 hastened forward, and it was soon discovered that the 



