72 



SHIKAR 



After a time we spied them as yet free from suspicion ; 

 and got near enough to the larger which, however, just 

 as I had gained breath and position to fire, got behind a 

 bush which partially screened it: and the other one, 

 occupying an open spot, whence our every move was 

 conspicuous, I judged it best to wait a bit ; and as the 

 latter animal was slowly approaching the former as it 

 fed, I felt secure of one or both, when, to my infinite 

 disgust, the larger of the two suddenly scuttled off, 

 alarmed, as I believe, by the noise of the third bear 

 which was now nearing the others. However that may 

 be, off it went. The other, catching the alarm, turned 

 and fled too, but stopped to look about for the cause of 

 alarm ; so, taking advantage of this chance, I levelled 

 Whitworth, and rolled him over, a long shot. Up he 

 got, and hobbled off, his left shoulder apparently broken. 

 I prepared to pursue; but seeing No. 3, confused and 

 frightened, had turned, and was making off in our 

 direction, I tried to intercept him, but he kept a long 

 way off. However, taking aim at about two hundred and 

 fifty yards, I hit him, and then pursued him, sending 

 Subhan after the other with a rifle. 



I had three shots at my retreating game, without any 

 apparent effect, and then returned towards camp. Sub- 

 han overtaking us, having been equally unsuccessful, 

 gloom and despondency pervaded the party. I half try 

 to dissuade myself from trying the chase again, and take 

 to sketching instead. 



In the evening a bear was visible on another portion 

 of the mountain over the village, high up near the 

 summit. It was proposed to try and stalk him. Pro- 

 fessing my confirmed opinion we could never get at him, 

 I, however, fell in with the wishes of the shikarries, and 

 with complete indifference as to the result toiled up the 



