COMPASSION NOT A MATTER OF SIZE. 225 



the hunters were reluctantly obliged to confess that 

 the case was hopeless. The hills were so thickly 

 covered with jungle that marking down was almost 

 impossible. 



Vast quantities of wild figs and other jungle fruit 

 rendered it probable that this part of the country 

 was a favourite resort of bears ; indeed, this was 

 fully attested by the " signs " in every direction, 

 as well as by the long gashes in the higher fruit- 

 trees made by their claws, and marking those they 

 were in the habit of climbing. But the underwood 

 was so dense, and extended almost unbroken over 

 so large a tract of country, that beating was out of 

 the question, except in parts isolated from the main 

 jungle. 



"I am really put out by our ill-luck to-day," 

 observed Mackenzie that evening. " I declare I 

 would far rather have had a blank day altogether 

 than lose the game wounded, and especially under 

 the circumstances of the poor old she-bear's motherly 

 conduct, as shown to-day." 



"You are a tender-hearted old muff, Mac, for a 

 six-foot-fourer," Norman sairl. "But I agree with 

 you. I hope the old lady was not so very much 

 hurt after all." 



" "What, you suppose you little chaps are the 

 only ones with any bowels of compassion, do you ? 



