NO ESCAPE FOR BRUIN. 177 



breaking away from Hawkes, after a disappearance 

 of a few minutes, he was detected by Norman 

 listening, and evidently very sick, about forty yards 

 off. Having a clear view, Norman fired, and 

 knocked the beast off his legs. It lay for some 

 time motionless, and Norman advanced towards it. 

 But not yet did the tough-hided creature give in. 

 The hunter's approach seemed to have a wonderfully 

 revivifying effect, for again it rose, and struggled 

 on into the thick jungle, receiving a couple more 

 bullets as it departed. But all three hunters were 

 destined on this occasion each to have a chance. 

 From Norman, the dying bear crawled down into 

 the nullah, and passed right under Mackenzie's 

 position, and was there finally disposed of. 



The whole affair did not occupy a quarter of an 

 hour, and many were the congratulations on the 

 brevity of the engagement, obviating, as it did, a 

 renewal of the toils of the former day, to which 

 Mackenzie, at any rate, was quite unequal. 



On their return to the group of trees a consulta- 

 tion was held with Rugonauth, who brought to the 

 notice of the hunters the able assistance rendered 

 by the man of the ash-covered body and dishevelled 

 locks, much to the gratification of that worthy in- 

 dividual, and a small addition to his pecuniary 

 resources. He was profuse in his expression of 



