IN THE WURDWAN. 77 



much care, and, firing, rolled Bruin headlong down the 

 hills where we despatched him. Leaving the ' melster ' 

 to skin him, it being now late and raining hard, we went 

 on to camp. 



Soon after we got in, the night closed on us. We heard 

 loud shouts across the river from the ' melster/ to whom 

 assistance was sent. He had been terrified out of his 

 senses by the sudden appearance of the pack of wild dogs 

 come to dispute the possession of the carcase with him, 

 or even to worry him all one to them. 



No wonder he sung out lustily. A fire soon gleamed 

 there and the work was safely accomplished. Great 

 encouragement felt by the shikarries at this small success. 



29th May. We had determined to push far up the 

 valley, so started early. We saw an old and a young 

 bear far up out of reach, and again saw the pack of wild 

 dogs, whose presence sufficiently accounts for the small 

 number of animals seen, and their extreme wariness. 

 These brutes have been all over the valley : we find their 

 traces in every direction we go. 



The shikarries tell me they hunt most systematically, 

 and in a manner so well planned and carried out as to be 

 nearly always successful. When the presence and 

 position of their prey is ascertained, they divide into 

 couples, and take up their several allotted positions so as 

 to cut off the animal pursued. Some run straight, re- 

 lieving each other alternately ; and whether going up or 

 down fresh relays are at hand, so that the object they 

 pursue has little chance of escape. 



We reached the end of the valley, passing most likely 

 spots for game, but all blank. We stopped till 3 P.M. ; then 

 retraced our steps, and when nearing camp a bear was 

 perceived some way up the mountain. 



The stalk was arranged, and so successfully that we 



