THE WOUNDED SAMBEE. 61 



The whole of the hinds, with two half-grown young 

 ones, went away at a gallop ; but, after proceeding 

 a short distance, decreased their pace as they found 

 their lord and master lingering far in the rear. 

 More than one turned to look at him, wondering no 

 doubt at his unusual laziness in the presence of 

 danger. However, they disappeared over the ridge, 

 but before he reached that point of safety, his 

 uneasy trot had subsided to a walk. Once the 

 beast stopped, but it was only for a moment ; and 

 he followed in the wake of the hinds and also 

 passed over the ridge in the same track. 



Norman had, meanwhile, kept perfectly still, 

 earnestly watching eveiy movement through his 

 glass. No sooner had the stag vanished than he 

 started up, reloaded as quickly as possible, and 

 turned round to signal his assistant. That worthy, 

 however, was already making the best of his way 

 down the slope to join him. 



" Sahib," said he, as he came up ; " the samber 

 will not go very far. He was hard hit." 



" I know it," was the answer, as Norman ex- 

 changed his single for the double rifle. " We must 

 get on his track, though. He will be lying down, I 

 expect. What sort of country is it over the ridge ?" 



" Much like this, Sahib. There is jungle a little 

 beyond. He will perhaps lie down in that." 



