CHAPTER VIII. 



Trying weather and trying work A smoked- out Bear Saved 

 from a Charge Activity of hill men In pursuit The last 

 Charge The Death. 



No tigers were marked down on Monday ; but a 

 huge bear was reported to have taken up his quarters 

 in a patch of jungle in a nullah near one of the 

 highest peaks of the surrounding hills, and distant 

 three or four miles. The first part of the way lay 

 up a neighbouring narrow valley ; and the road, as 

 long as it continued there, was practicable for the 

 horses. But when less than half the distance had been 

 traversed, the sportsmen were obliged to dismount, 

 and, leaving their steeds, perform the rest on foot. 



The last two or three days had been intensely hot, 

 with but little wind stirring ; so that in the ravines, 

 and amidst the thick jungle, where there was no 

 free circulation, the atmosphere was stifling. The 

 path was steep and rugged, and those who know 

 what a rough climb is on a hot summer day in India, 

 will readily understand that the hunters had, more 

 than once, to throw themselves on the ground and 



