X 
THE BEAR 
367 
that I would never indulge in good resolutions 
again, that humanity was humbug, philanthropy 
puerile, and that the rule of success depended upon 
the principle “ Never lose an opportunity/’ 
I was fairly disgusted with myself, and calling 
my men, I described to them the magnificence of my 
lost stag. Instead of consolation they said, “Well, 
if you’re come all this way to shoot, and you won’t 
shoot, I don’t quite see the use of your coming.” 
That was all I received as a reward for having 
spared an animal’s life which I did not wish to 
sacrifice wantonly. 
“ All right; go back and drive the covert to the 
end ; you may depend upon it I’ll take the next shot, 
whatever it may be.” The men rode down the 
steep sides of the ravine, and we recommenced our 
beat. 
Nothing moved for some time, and I mounted 
my horse as we were approaching the junction of 
the smaller ravine on my left, which formed the 
letter Y. I was about 100 yards ahead of my two 
men, and I descended into the stony depression, 
crossed the little stream, and ascended the opposite 
side with some little difficulty, as it was extremely 
steep, and, together with my 12 lb. rifle, cartridges, and 
a 26 lb. Mexican saddle, I rode about 18 stone. We 
reached the top, from which I could look down into 
the larger ravine on my right, and the lesser on my 
left, but a number of large rocks, 3 or 4 feet in 
height, and others of smaller size, made it difficult 
for my horse to thread his way. Just at this 
