FORCING THE LINE. i>21 



fuse them, for they moved to and fro in an unde- 

 cided manner, as if not knowing which direction to 

 take. At last, they seemed resolved to cross the 

 ridge ; and this fact was announced with incessant 

 shouting from the men above, though as yet neither 

 of the hunters had caught a single glimpse of the 

 game. Directed, however, by the vociferous warn- 

 ings of the men, they each, from different spots, 

 watched a part of the jungle where it was some- 

 what scantier, and almost at the same moment 

 discerned a dark object moving through the bushes. 

 It might have been forty yards from Mackenzie, 

 and double that distance from Norman. 



The view was not very clear ; nevertheless, the 

 opening of both batteries was responded to by 

 roars, and the dusky object rolled over. Quickly 

 recovering itself, however, it again essayed to move 

 on, and was immediately lost to view. It was next 

 seen crossing the ridge high up, but only for a 

 moment. Having forced the line of the ridge, it 

 made away on the other side. But there was, in 

 tlu' direction of its retreat, a considerable space 

 unencumbered with jungle, and across this it was 

 obliged to pass. Both of the hunters had run for- 

 ward, in the hope of obtaining shots, though longish 

 ones, as it re-appeared. When it did so. the cub 

 was seen making strenuous efforts to climb on to its 



