ADVANCING ON THE BEAE'S RETREAT. 395 



Eoopur himself then officiated as conductor, and 

 led the way up the steep hill-side. He had selected 

 the place of ascent round a shoulder of the hill, so 

 that there should be 110 chance of disturbing the 

 sleeping bear prematurely. On reaching the top, 

 the hunters stopped awhile to recover breath, and 

 then continued on till they arrived above the place 

 where bruin was enjoying his mid-day nap. 



The hill-side was very stony, with one or two 

 large rocks standing out boldly ; but jungle was 

 very scantily scattered about it. Under one of 

 these rocks the bear was known to be, but owing to 

 the difference in their appearance when seen from 

 above, and when from opposite, Roopur was unable 

 to decide exactly which. 



Hitting on one which he thought the most likely, 

 he guided the party down towards it. Some signals, 

 however, from the men stationed on the opposite 

 slope in observation, induced him to change his 

 direction towards another rock ; but unfortunately, 

 instead of being able to approach it directly from 

 above, this divergence now obliged them to do so 

 laterally. The consequence was that the bear was 

 aroused, and a yell from the men on the other side 

 proclaimed that it had left its shelter. 



Mackenzie, who, under Eoopur 's directions, was 

 leading, the others following in Indian file, jumped 



