78 SHIKAR 



arrived within one hundred and fifty yards of Bruin, 

 unannounced by smell or sound. I waited for breath ; 

 then, poising Whitworth, despatched the leaden messen- 

 ger, which created much confusion in poor Bruin's mind 

 and person. He rushed off: a ball from the Enfield 

 smote him through the snout, and another so bewildered 

 him that he turned and crossed us : two more missiles 

 were discharged at him, but only shrinking he retreated 

 out of sight. Gruns loaded, pursuit took place, and the 

 chase was soon seen, evidently in considerable difficulties, 

 pausing at steep pitches of the hill. 



Up we pursued through the snow, puffing, gasping, 

 slipping about, but in the ardour of the chase heedless 

 of danger. I got a position, and was aiming as well as 

 my rapidly-heaving lungs permitted, when Phuttoo's 

 staff escaping went rattling down the mountain, and the 

 bear catching the clatter moved on, making for a narrow 

 pass. We, too, pushed on, and, ascending the rock on 

 one side of the pass with difficulty, saw our game resting 

 evidently sick, having made his way across a ravine. 

 He moved upwards, so, though breathless, panting, I 

 was obliged to fire distance perhaps one hundred and 

 sixty yards or so : but Whitworth was true, and Bruin, 

 struck in the back, retreated downwards, when a well- 

 directed Enfield ball prostrated him lifeless. 



There was great rejoicing; for it had been a very 

 exciting and arduous chase, calling for energies and skill. 

 The victim was sent rolling down the mountain side to 

 the bottom, where he was duly despoiled, and a very 

 fine, furry skin he wore. 



The shikarries are now in great glee, and general con- 

 gratulations, fun, and good humour, have replaced long 

 faces, sighs, and melancholy. 



30th May. Off to the place where I was so un- 



