374 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



to look over. Here and there gigantic forest trees 

 stood out in bold relief, and towering crags of 

 castellated form rose in every direction, whilst 

 patches of gorgeous flowers of various colours were 

 seen among the luxuriant herbage, adding their rich 

 tints, as if to harmonise with the exquisite beauty 

 of the surrounding scenery. 



As we were picking our way over the strong bed 

 of a mountain-stream which had cleft a wide open- 

 ing through the forest, I was rather startled by 

 hearing the sharp crack of a rifle, and the " ping" 

 of a bullet high over our heads, which, from the 

 streak of smoke, evidently came from a high rocky 

 crag commanding the ford on the opposite bank ; 

 and, instinctively, both myself and followers, appre- 

 hensive of treachery, unslung our rifles, and pre- 

 pared for action by springing from our saddles and 

 taking advantage of the cover of huge boulders of 

 rock that were scattered about in every direction. 

 But the Illori Bey, who was much amused by our 

 proceedings, informed us that we were approaching 

 his "konak," and that the shot we heard was 

 merely a signal from one of the outlying scouts of 

 his tribe, who, being at feud with their neighbours, 

 were obliged to keep a strict watch on the defile 

 leading to their hamlet. One of his followers 

 answered the signal by discharging his pistol, and 

 in a few moments a number of young men came 

 galloping up on rough mountain-ponies, who gave 

 us a cordial welcome, and saluted us by touching 



