240 THE SHIKAEEE'S STORY. 



wood torches, and then proceeded to remove 

 the stones from the mouth of the cave. 

 Having lighted the torches, he entered the 

 narrow passage, crawling on his hands and 

 knees, the bear suddenly roared out in a 

 frightful manner, and as from his position 

 the Shikaree could not use the gun, and was 

 totally helpless, jammed up in the narrow 

 entrance, the poor fellow gave himself up for 

 lost. His companion, however, hearing the 

 roaring, dragged him out backwards by the 

 legs. They had then reclosed the mouth of 

 the bear's stronghold, and came to report 

 progress. 



There was now nothing for it but to go 

 myself; next morning, therefore, saw me at 

 the place, provided with a bundle of good 

 pine-wood for torches, and in addition to the 

 two guns, a spear, which I had had made 

 purposely for bear hunting, although I had 

 never had occasion to use it. 



Before commencing operations, I cross- 

 questioned the men closely, and it came out 

 that the Shikaree had been afraid to go in 



