154 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



side as Mackenzie, still lower down, and covered 

 the nullah which gave exit from the dell to the 

 slopes below, and which acted as a drainer to the 

 rough hill side. 



The beaters commenced above, and passed down 

 between Mackenzie and Norman towards Hawkes, 

 without anything making its appearance, though 

 the beast was said by some to be on foot. They 

 reached Hawkes' position, and still no one could say 

 he had actually seen the animal. Suddenly, how- 

 ever, there was a shout that the bear was moving 

 far in the rear of the line of beaters, and somewhere 

 between Mackenzie and Norman. Hawkes now 

 rushed along the outside of the jungle and joined 

 his neighbour ; and the two descended into the 

 nullah which threaded the centre of the cover. 

 Mackenzie here caught a momentary glimpse of the 

 bear just below Norman, and fired a snap shot at 

 it. This was responded to by a deep growl, which 

 seemed to Norman to proceed from a part of the 

 thicket quite close ; but he could see nothing of tho 

 beast which had emitted it. He changed his place, 

 but was still unable to get a view. A few lighted 

 rockets were now thrown into the jungle, as the 

 beast was evidently sulky and would not break ; 

 and they set fire to a quantity of rank dry grass 

 and brushwood. After crackling for about a quarter 



