CHARGE FROM AN UNEXPECTED QUARTER. 399 



proximity of bruin in an unexpected quarter. Ho 

 had passed the place before their arrival, and now 

 emerged from some bushes, and was bearing down 

 on Norman, who was nearest, evidently in a most 

 vicious frame of mind, and then not more than ten 

 yards off. Turning rapidly to meet it, he aimed 

 quickly and fired, and the bear fell. Norman had 

 not yet found time during the hurried pursuit to 

 reload his right barrel, and he now turned to ex- 

 change his empty rifle for another gun, but found 

 that the bearer thereof a new and untried villager 

 had retreated. It was fortunately a matter of 

 little importance, for even before Hawkes could 

 deliver his shot, the bear had rolled over the ledge 

 and shut up in a bush. When Norman had obtained 

 a fresh gun, the two went down into the nullah and 

 soon put an end to what yet remained of the dying 

 beast's life. 



They now adjourned to a muddy pool of water, 

 the only one in the neighbourhood, and gave the 

 few men with them an opportunity of quenching 

 their thirst. 



The day was intensely hot, and no wonder the 

 men crowded down to get first drink of the not 

 very pure water. But even as they did so, with 

 Roopur at the head, the latter stopped so suddenly, 

 that one or two of the others ran against him. 



