222 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



mother's back. It had probably originally been 

 there, but, when the old one was knocked over, 

 lost its hold. Norman fired, but apparently with- 

 out effect. Mackenzie almost immediately after 

 let drive also ; missed the old one, but hit the 

 little beast, knocking it off" its legs, summarily 

 putting a stop to its exertions to mount on its 

 mother's back. The old one continued on ; but 

 either missing its young one, or having its attention 

 attracted to the squeaking growls it continued to 

 utter, now some distance in the rear, she turned in 

 her tracks, and came right back into the jaws of 

 danger to look after it. 



She was soon beside, and assisting it as best she 

 could, and doubtless at the same time encouraging 

 and advising it. At any rate, protected and 

 escorted by the mother, the cub managed to hobble 

 away alongside, and both soon after disappeared. 

 The old one, as she returned, had been received with 

 a couple of shots from the hunters ; but when they 

 saw her object, and how, regardless of danger, true 

 motherly instinct prompted her to come to the 

 assistance of her offspring, they had not the heart to 

 interfere with her, and accordingly refrained from 

 again firing. 



I am not prepared to say that, had she been close 

 enough for them to mnke pretty sure, they would 



