CHAPTER X. 



WILSON'S HIMALAYAN REMINISCENCES. 



Early impressions of the Himalayas. — Bear hunting. ^ — Recklessness. — A bear 

 hunt in the snow. — Snug quarters. — Difference of opinion. — Bruin dis- 

 turbed. — The wrong plan followed. — The pursuit. — Night closes the 

 chase. — The tracks followed up next morning. — The cave. — Vain attempt 

 to smoke him out. — Block up the entrance. — Reported death of the bear. 

 — My Shikaree sent to bring him out. — His adventure at the cave. — Bruin 

 alive. — I go myself. — The bear's den. — Foiled in my object and return 

 empty handed. — Dirgoo's adventm'e. — A regular bout of fisty-cuffs with 

 Bruin. — Dirgoo's gallantry. — Saves his companion. — Their wounds. — I 

 visit the field of battle, and find the bear dead. 



You will I daresay imagine that, during 

 so many years of forest life, I must have 

 met with many adventures ; but when I 

 come calmly to reflect, I can recollect few 

 that seem to me worth relating. Possibly 

 the charm of novelty having worn off, scenes 

 and incidents which to others would appear 

 as remarkable events, are to me only the 

 common-place occurrences of everyday life ; 

 and yet, I enjoy them almost as much, as 

 when I first became a mountaineei'. 



