DIFFERENCE OF CHAEGE. 109 



diately desisted, turned tail, and re-entered the 

 jungle. 



" Take care," shouted Norman to the beaters ; 

 " one has gone back badly wounded." 



At this intimation the men, who were much 

 scattered, congregated into groups at different open 

 spots ; indeed, had done so at the first warning of 

 the shots and growling of the bear ; but now they 

 stood prepared with their axes in readiness, for the 

 jungle was too extensive for those in the centre to 

 attempt to gain the outside. 



Seizing their second guns, Norman and Hawkes 

 quickly went up to the first bear which was lying 

 dead. It had fallen to one bullet well and truly 

 delivered at the junction of the neck and chest. 

 Without anything more than a cursory glance, and 

 a pull at the body to satisfy themselves that life 

 was extinct, they advanced without delay to the 

 spot at which number two had disappeared. It 

 was a very narrow track along which they now 

 found it necessary to thread their way through the 

 bushes, which obliged them to do so in Indian file. 

 To Norman, as the older and more war)*, it naturally 

 fell to lead, but Hawkes remained close behind him 

 prompt and ready. 



Though a bear will charge home, and indeed is 

 frequently more dreaded by the natives than a tiger, 



