186 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



maintained his position ; and, had he not been 

 weakened by his wounds, would probably have 

 made good his object. 



All this time it had been growling, with rage 

 depicted in every line of its countenance. Suddenly 

 it emitted a short low roar, a quiver seemed to run 

 through it, its jaws relaxed, its eyes lost their fire, 

 its hold of the rock gave way, and it fell back 

 crashing among the boulders of rock and bushes into 

 the nullah below, a distant rifle crack accompanying 

 its downfall. 



" Hurrah ! " Hawkes shouted in mad excitement, 

 brandishing his gun-barrels. " Hurrah ! He's cooned. 

 Yoicks ! Tally ho ! " 



" Run for it. For God's sake, get into a tree !" 

 shouted Norman from the other side of the nullah, 

 in eager, anxious tones. " He may get up, and be 

 at you again by some path." 



" No, no, it's all right. He's cooned. Tul-lul-lul- 

 laietee ! " and Hawkes continued to make excited 

 demonstrations as he stood on the rock and looked 

 over. 



" Get back, man, get back. Are you mad ? " 

 Norman again shouted, with much anxiety. " Per- 

 haps he's only stunned. I can't answer for hitting 

 him again. Run off, confound you ; run away, 

 will you 1 " 



