THE RETURN. 281 



and down rolled one of the animals ; when, to my 

 infinite astonishment, off dashed little Sara at speed, 

 whose presence I was not aware of. He had, however, 

 followed silently my every movement. He flew straight 

 at the wounded animal, and seized it as it struggled. I 

 called him to come back : but in vain. So, taking the 

 double rifle, I looked for another shot, and fired at two 

 passing napu, I believe without effect, but the ball seem- 

 ing to go through one. 



And now ensued an exciting and ludicrous scene. The 

 wounded napu, an animal as large as a fallow doe, par- 

 tially recovered the blow, and, shaking off the worrying 

 Sara violently, came with irregular bounds rapidly down 

 the hill, pursued frantically by the gallant little dog close 

 at its haunches. I raised the rifle. Subhan adjured me 

 not to fire, lest I should injure the dog. But fearing that 

 the animal, apparently yet vigorous, might escape, I 

 aimed well forward, and over it rolled. Sara was at its 

 head immediately, and seizec} it by the ear, when a des- 

 perate struggle took place. The animal bounded into the 

 air; but the tenacious little rascal kept his hold firm. 

 Down they came, the dog undermost, never relaxing but 

 to get a better grip. And thus the contest continued, 

 until I got hold of the hind legs of the violently- strug- 

 gling creature, and Subhan the head. Then Sara, 

 coming to my aid, fixed his teeth in the haunch, and 

 there held on, never yielding till life was extinct. His 

 excitement then subsided, and he lay down panting, and 

 looking as if really ashamed of his exploits. 



Cheered by this incident, we pursued our way which 

 was yet terribly trying. However, the passage was in 

 time accomplished, and after reposing and refreshing for 

 a couple of hours or so, during which time Buddoo and 

 tent passed us, and the other servants came up, we went 



