Page:A Summer Ramble in the Himalayas; with Sporting Adventures in the Vale of Cashmere.djvu/88

Rh from camp in the afternoon, and wait for us there. The first thing we saw when we reached the flats was a snow bear. "It is the same we saw yesterday," said Wilson, "and if I am not much mistaken he will shortly lose that beautiful skin, for the deuce is in it if he escapes us this time. The wind is fortunately in our favour, and only let him get behind that green knoll, and I think he's safe." The bear was busy digging up the ground and turning over the stones, and gradually approaching the little knoll which would hide us from his sight as we ran along the flat. We remained quiet for ten minutes, and then, as his body disappeared behind the swell, seizing our rifles, and leaving all the men but one who carried my double gun, stole quickly but softly across the intervening ground, a distance of about 200 yards. Wilson cautiously peered over the knoll, drew back instantly, and motioned me to advance, as he had insisted I should take the shot. I cocked the rifle and looked over. There was the bear within forty yards. I was raising the rifle, when my companion put his hand on my arm, whispering "Let him turn." I understood what he meant, for the bear was in an unfavourable position, with his back towards me, but I thought as he stood I could have hit him in the spine. What a moment of excitement! In a few seconds he slowly turned half round, exposing his neck and shoulder. Now! and bang went my rifle; the bear rolling over like a stone, as dead as if he had had his head struck off. The ball