450 THE EASTEEN HUNTERS. 



and raised himself slowly and gradually till lie was 

 able to look through the small bush. Inch by inch 

 the rifle was then brought up, and presented through 

 an opening in the foliage till the object was covered. 

 Just as he was about to fire, the buck quickly raised 

 its head, and turned it towards him ; but before it 

 could spring up, a bullet passed through its shoulder, 

 and it lay struggling on the ground. 



Norman jumped up and ran forward. Seizing 

 the deer's horns, though nearly shaken off in the 

 attempt, he managed to put an end to the poor 

 beast with his hunting-knife. 



This was the only shot Norman obtained. By 

 twelve o'clock all had reached the camp, Mackenzie 

 having killed another black buck, and Hawkes a 

 gazelle, but without any particulars attending their 

 deaths worth recording here. 



On the following day their leave, expired ; so 

 bidding adieu to jungle pleasures, they rode towards 

 cantonments, which they reached without mishap or 

 adventure, well satisfied with the success attending 

 the month's campaign of the Eastern Hunters. 



