day the luck seemed to be against them; for although they met
with plenty of "sign"--where the bears had broken the branches of the
oaks--and also saw numbers of freshly-made "rooks' nests," they could
not get their eyes upon Bruin himself, who had left these tokens of his
presence. It might be that this forest was frequently hunted by the
native Shikkaries; and that would account for the absence of the bears
during the day-time. They had gone, no doubt, to their hiding-places.

This was the conclusion at which our hunters arrived--after tramping
about until they were tired; and not having met with a single bear.

It was now the hour of noon; and, as they had been told that the evening
would be the likelier time to find Bruin upon the prowl, they resolved
returning to where they had left their horses, and remaining there until
evening should arrive. They had grown hungry; and, having walked many
miles, were pretty well done up. A bit of dinner, and a few hours' rest
under the great cedar, would recruit their strength; and enable them to
take the field again before sunset with a better prospect of success.

Following their backtrack through the forest, therefore, they proceeded
towards the place where they had left their horses.

Before coming in sight of these animals, they were admonished of their
proximity by hearing them neighing at short intervals; but, what
surprised them still more, they heard a constant pounding--as if the
horses were striking the ground repeatedly and continuously with their
hoofs!

Arriving within view of them, their astonishment was not diminished, on
perceiving that the three horses were rearing and dancing over the
ground, as if endeavouring to break loose from their fastenings! Each
had been tied to a separate branch of the tree--their bridles being
simply noosed over the twigs at the extremities of the branches; and
allowing them to play to the full length of the rein. Consequently, the
three horses were many yards apart from each other; but all were equally
in motion--all neighing and pitching about, as if something had set them
mad!

Could it be horse-flies? thought the hunters. They knew there was a
species of horse-fly in the Himalayas--greatly dreaded by all animals,
and even by man himself. They knew this: for they had already suffered
from its persecuting bite. But this was in the lower valleys; and it
was not likely it should be found at the elevation of this _khurso_