388 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



Knowing the effect of a surprise, I determined, 

 if possible, to accomplish our purpose without blood- 

 shed, and observing their rude firearms resting 

 against a boulder of rock, I resolved to get as near 

 as possible by stalking, and then make a simul- 

 taneous dash. 



By dint of creeping on our hands and knees, and 

 taking advantage of the cover of bushes, rocks, and 

 undulations in the ground, we got to within a dozen 

 yards of the three fellows lying down, on whom we 

 made a rush, and, after a momentary struggle, over- 

 powered by laying about us with the butt-end of our 

 rifles. The two others bolted into the jungle on the 

 first alarm, where further pursuit was useless, and a 

 sixth, who was acting as scout a short distance in 

 the rear, fell into the hands of our other party 



Having disarmed and pinioned our prisoners, one 

 of whom had his arm broken in the scufiQe, and 

 secured the horses, (ten in number, including our 

 own re 'aptnred,) we rejoined the rest of the party, 

 and after a hasty meal set out on our return. 



Our captives, who were a sullen, "ill-favoured, 

 hang-dog looking " set of fellows, proved to belong 

 to a mountain tribe from the other side of Pitzounda, 

 who were returning from an unsuccessful foray in 

 Mingrelia, when they caught sight of our cattle and 

 attempted a razee. 



We arrived in camp late in the afternoon, and 

 great was the old Bey's joy at the recovery of his 

 animals, which be had made up his mind he would 



