the black bears are met with in the greatest numbers, coming from
all parts into the oak-forests, and climbing the trees to procure their
favourite food. They do not nibble off the acorns one by one; but first
break the branches which are loaded, and carry them all into one place--
generally into some fork--where, seated like squirrels, on their great
hams, they can discuss the meal at their leisure. In passing through
these oak-forests, large piles of branches may be seen thus collected
together on the tops of the trees--resembling the nests of rooks or
magpies--which have been brought together by the bears for the purpose
above stated.

When the forest lies in a district, where these bears are much hunted,
they usually retire by day; and conceal themselves in their
hiding-places in the thickets; but even in such forests the animals may
be seen prowling about before sunset, and long after daylight in the
morning.

In the higher hills and forests of the _khurso_ oak, remote from the
villages, they do not even take the precaution to hide themselves, but
remain all day "acorn-gathering" among the trees. It is at this season
that they can be hunted with most success: since the hunter is under no
necessity of tracking them, but can find his great game by simply
walking quietly through the woods, and keeping a lookout overhead, just
as if he were searching for squirrels.

It chanced to be the months of October when our hunters arrived at this
part of the Himalayas; and having reached the region of the larger
oak-forests, they commenced their search accordingly. They were
extremely desirous of success; knowing how much their father would be
gratified at obtaining the skin of this black bear, which being an
undescribed variety, might be considered an "extra" one.

CHAPTER SIXTY TWO.

AN UNHAPPY HORSE.

Our young hunters commenced their search in a forest of _khurso_ oaks,
which, interspersed with cedars and other trees, covered a high
round-topped ridge, that rose above the little village where they had
made their headquarters.

On reaching the flat summit of the ridge, they found they could manage
better without their horses: as seated in the saddle they could not so
well reconnoitre the tops of the trees, where they expected to see their
game. They dismounted, therefore, and leaving their animals tied to the
branches of a large spreading cedar-tree (the _deodor_), they proceeded
onward on foot.

On this