THE CAVE. 237 



could not be mortally wounded. Still, as 

 we were almost certain of eventually coming 

 up with the chase, if we persevered, we went 

 steadily on, first to the crest of the mountain 

 ridge, and then down the other side, until 

 we tracked him fairly into a cave. 



"What was now to be done ? the entrance 

 was only large enough to admit a man 

 crawling on all-fours, and all withm was 

 dark as the grave. Examining the guns 

 to ascertain they were in proper trim, we 

 shouted into the mouth of the cavern. Not 

 a growl followed, nor was the slightest 

 sound heard in answer. A shot was then 

 fired in ; still no intimation of any living 

 animal being within. We were now rather 

 at a non plus. I had heard of smoking 

 beasts out of their dens, but with wet brush- 

 wood and the ground covered with snow, 

 it was no easy matter to find materials for 

 the operation. At last one of the men 

 recollected there were some old cow-sheds 

 down the hill, and he and another were 

 despatched to bring up a few armfuls of the 



