IN THE WURDWAN. 95 



traversed the body, coming out at the left shoulder. It 

 was but a kustoora after all, but a fine specimen, with 

 long teeth protruding from the upper jaw. 



9th June. Phuttoo and Mooktoo complaining of head 

 aches, &c., Subhan came at dawn to my tent, suggesting 

 remaining in camp till evening. I readily acquiesced, 

 having had a hard day's work yesterday. 



I started in the afternoon in a new direction ; climbing 

 the steep fir-clad hill opposite the village, we reached the 

 crest where we hoped to meet with bara sing, but only 

 saw their fresh tracks, so sat down to watch. 



Subhan ascended higher with the telescope, and re- 

 turned after some time reporting a bear as big as a bul- 

 lock in sight, so we addressed ourselves to approach him. 

 Descending the hill-side, a splendid and extensive grassy 

 slope presented itself, along which we wended our way, 

 and after about a mile's walk came upon the bear, truly 

 a very large one, and justifying Subhan' s comparison. I 

 took my time to gain breath, and as we were well placed 

 as regards covert and wind did not hurry ; but, shifting 

 position once or twice till satisfied, let drive Enfield, 

 upon which Bruin turned bewildered, and dashed down 

 hill, partly in our direction. I discharged the other 

 barrel, also rifle, as he crossed a snow drift filling the 

 bottom of a ravine. He still held on, and was com- 

 mencing the ascent of the opposite hill, when I levelled 

 Whitworth, and down he came spinning, rolling over and 

 over, to the snow, and then slipping and sprawling down 

 that, until he lay still, breathing his last. 



The whole party was triumphant : the shikarries got 

 down to him : his sides still heaved : the coolies came up, 

 and, Subhan having by my order cut the animals throat 

 to extinguish the remaining sparks of life, they proceeded 

 to take off the skin, and had opened it down the belly, 



