218 THE SURROW ARE CIRCUMVENTED. 



just below me, and up which offshoot Hookrnee says the 

 surrow may possibly take. 



As I sit there expectant among the rocks, being half baked 

 by the hot March sun, I can hear the beaters as they come 

 slowly down through the ringals and trees in the khud, but 

 only the sound of their tapping-sticks, for old Hookmee has 

 got them well in hand. Presently a voice comes from high up 

 on the opposite side of the glen. It proceeds from one of the 

 scouts stationed there, calling my attention to two surrow he 

 can see passing along the rocky face below me on the left ; 

 but the ground is so steep there, that to me they are invisible. 

 Again he shouts that they have turned up the smaller gorge 

 to the right, and I have not long to wait before a rustle 

 among the dry fallen leaves apprises me that something is 

 coming up it. But the beast keeps so well concealed in the 

 thick cover, that it passes on without giving a chance for a 

 shot. It is followed almost immediately by its companion, 

 which suddenly detecting me, turns sharply round, and, under 

 cover of the brushwood, makes for the opposite ridge of the 

 ravine. More fortunately for me than for the surrow, it has 

 to traverse an open bit of steep ground before it can reach 

 the ridge ; but a bullet from the Whitworth catching it in 

 rear, turns it back. It stands for a few seconds as if be- 

 wildered, when another bullet causes it to totter back down 

 towards the cover at the bottom of the ravine. A movement 

 among the bushes below me now attracts my attention, and 

 almost directly I catch sight of the first surrow, which, prob- 

 ably missing its mate, has returned in search of him, and is 

 now standing broadside on, in a small open space among the 

 brushwood, within fifty yards. The contents of my second 

 weapon, a miniature '360 express, sent into its shoulder, floor 

 it at once in its tracks. 



I now devote my attention to the other surrow, which I 

 find is so sick as to be incapable of moving away. I have 

 hardly settled it with the " pea-shooter," when again I hear 



