390 The Hunting Grounds 



brinks of precipices which made the head giddy to 

 look over. Here and there gigantic forest-trees stood 

 out in bold relief, and towering crags of castelated 

 form rose in every direction, whilst patches of gorgeous 

 flowers of various colours were seen among the luxu- 

 riant herbage, adding their rich tints, as if to harmonise 

 with the exquisite beauty of the surrounding scenery. 

 As we were picking our way over the strong bed 

 of a mountain-stream which had cleft a wide opening 

 through the forest, I was rather startled by hearing 

 the sharp crack of a rifle, and the " ping " of a bullet 

 high over our heads, which, from the streak of smoke, 

 evidently came from a high rocky crag commanding 

 the ford on the opposite bank ; and, instinctively, both 

 myself and followers, apprehensive of treachery, un- 

 slung our rifles, and prepared for action by springing 

 from our saddles and taking advantage of the cover 

 of huge boulders of rock that were scattered about in 

 every direction. But the Illori Bey, who was much 

 amused by our proceedings, informed us that we were 

 approaching his "konak," and that the shot we heard 

 was merely a signal from one of the outlying scouts 

 of his tribe, who, being at feud with their neighbours, 

 were obliged to keep a strict watch on the defile lead- 

 ing to their hamlet. One of his followers answered the 

 signal by discharging his pistol, and in a few moments 

 a number of young men came galloping up on rough 

 mountain-ponies, who gave us a cordial welcome, and 



