of the Old World. 177 



inch. Having arranged matters as I best could, I 

 managed to scramble up the hill, though I had some 

 difficulty in doing so, as the back of my head and 

 my arms, shoulders, and knees, were considerably 

 bruised ; and I felt rather shaken and tired after my 

 encounter. 



When I arrived at the caves I found B had 



killed the two bears, and D had caught a young 



one alive. We remained there about half an hour 

 longer, when another female and two half-grown cubs 

 came rolling along, all of whom bit the dust before 



our united volley. D also went after two others 



which were seen coming up the hill, but were de- 

 terred from coming near the caves, having taken 

 alarm at the firing. He killed one and severely 

 wounded the other, but somehow or another managed 

 to lose it. 



The sun had now risen high above the horizon ; the 

 breeze had died away, and not a breath of air was 

 stirring ; a mirage was seen spread over the plain, out 

 of which the wooded hills rose like distant islands. 

 The sultriness was getting more and more oppressive, 

 and it was piping hot before our coolies had managed 

 to collect the game at the foot of the hill, which con- 

 sisted of four male bears, five females, two half-grown 

 cubs, and a very young one caught alive. 



A number of village people, hearing of our sport, 

 came to carry the game in ; and my servant thought- 



N 



