102 



SHIKAR 



A plan was then formed to follow them, which took us 

 up the mountain in a direction to cut their route. A 

 stiff and smart climb landed us on the top ; Subhan and 

 Mooktoo went off to scout, Phuttoo and I lying in wait. 



Two bears came in sight. Phuttoo and I, taking the 

 rifles, moved towards them. The others joined us, having 

 seen nothing : but not having yet examined the ground 

 where the two deer must have passed, or might yet be, 

 I ordered it to be reconnoitred ' en route ' after the bears, 

 and there was seen one deer lying down, its head and 

 ridge of back only shewing distance about eighty yards. 

 I paused for breath behind a rise, the deer looking to- 

 wards me ; prepared rifle, and advanced a little on my 

 knees to get a firmer footing : the deer rose, and standing 

 erect presented its dun side full before me. Taking 

 deadly aim I pulled trigger, when horror and disgust 

 the cap only exploded. Away bounded the deer, and 

 also the other till now unseen, but lying still nearer to 

 us. I fired the other barrel as they gently moved up 

 hill, but ineffectually I believe. Away they went. 



The guns had been kept all night in the covers which 

 they were in during yesterday's rain. I had directed the 

 shikarries always to take the leathern covers in the day 

 time, and to put the woollen ones on at night, and had 

 for some time enforced compliance. But of late they 

 had departed from this rule. Finding the woollen covers 

 more easily disposed about their persons, they had 

 earned them in the day, and left them on at night. I 

 think a strong impression was made upon them by to-day's 

 mishap, as thereby they lose a good supply of meat, 

 which is to them a great disappointment. 



The two bears of course fled. And other game, both 

 deer and bears, on the side from which we had come up, 

 seen while in the ascent, had also vanished. 



