72 THE EASTERN HUNTEKS. 



fortunately scatliless, and came rattling down into 

 the ravine from which he had just ascended, and 

 right up the wooded nullah over which I was 

 holding guard. 



" It became my turn now to prepare for action, 

 for I heard, without seeing, him scrambling amongst 

 the stones and bushes. Presently I caught sight of 

 him, and drove a brace of bullets into his body. 

 He staggered, hard hit, but went off at an 1111- 

 diminished pace, growling like fury. I had only 

 my double rifle with me, so as soon as I could load 

 I posted off after him at a double, under the 

 guidance of my shikaree. What a run I had ! 

 The very thought of it makes me thirsty." 



After a brief pause, during which the narrator 

 was engaged in temporarily satisfying a most un- 

 quenchable thirst, he continued : 



" The man thought we might intercept the beast 

 by making a cut across to a neighbouring ravine. 

 We did this at a pace which would have astonished 

 your weak minds. But all the pumping and per- 

 spiring I underwent was of no use, for we saw 

 nothing of our active friend, though I am certain I 

 drilled a couple of holes into his fur jacket. I got 

 the men together afterwards and beat the ravine, 

 but nothing turned up ; so, as it was getting dark, 

 I was obliged to give up the search. 



