The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-30 00:00:00

THE )(ARAL'S LEAP.
Two Cossacks were out hunting the maral for two eb-
4ects—food and antlers. They had followed the game far up
ne
lilt° ar the Ala-tau, and had been successful ; sleeping at night
their spoil
The next morning they started again in
Pursuit, when, after some hours, they found a magnificent
a4,,lrual, Whose horns they saw were worth 120 roubles
v‘l7), a Prize well worth securing. They hunted him from
craggy region
one valley to another till at last he retreated to a high
His Pursuers were not the men to be de-
terred.by obstacles. They scaled the rugged height, still
following on his track ; whichever way he turned some
slight mark betrayed his path. Late in the afternoon they
caught sight of his branching. horns in a deep rent in the
mountain, whose sides were nearly 'perpendicular, while
the opposite end terminated on the brink of a great preci-
pice, thus preventing all chance of escape. When they entered the gorge he rose from his lair, about
300 yards in advance, and started forward among fallen
They followedrapidly, and gained upon him fast.
Having reached within about one hundred paces of the end
of the ravine, he stood hesitating, and looked back,—seem-
ing inclined to double and make a rush to pass them.
From this circumstance the Cossacks kn,w that some other
animals were in the pass ; and as tigers are often found
hero they did not fire, but gradually approached. The stag
Went slowly on, evidently in fear. Having passed
some large blocks, two huge bears sprang
out into the ravine close behind him. The
stag suddenly bounded into the air to a pinnacle of
rock, standing detached from the precipice, and hawing a
chasm 33 feet wide. One of the bears springing after him
rushed over the cliff, falling mere than 400 feet, and thus
ended his career. Tho other stood on the brink of the
chasm growling, and in a fearful rage at his disappointment.
The hunters advanced, and when they came within 20 paces
he stood up and gave a growl of defiance. But this was his
last— a leaden messenger sent him rolling after his com-
panion.

The maral stood gazing at the hunters without showing
any sign of fear, while they admired his beautiful form and
noble horns. To the honour of the Cossacks be it told, he
was left in peace, great as was the temptation to these ill-
paid men. Within a few paces were the coveted horns,
equal in value to the annual pay of five of their body. The
fellows were, however, as good as they are brave.

After noting some peculiar marks on the animal's body
by which to recognise him again, they departed. Retracing
their steps was a difficult and dangerous task, which they
had not felt during the excitement of the chase. The fol-
lowing day they sought the bears at the bottom of the pre-
cipice, when to their great delight they discovered that the
marahad releaped the chasm on to a ledge below the brink
and had escaped
This animal was described to other hunters, and
being generally recognised was spared in considera-
tion of his extraordinary leap, and remained for many
years respected as the king of that district. The
power and gameness of the eagle in these wilds is
extraordinary ;
I have mentioned in my former work that the bearcoot
is trained for hunting by the Kirghis. But I have said
nothing of his prowess in his wild state, when he sports on
ilthiseiorwpnreay.eeount, and sometimes plunders other ravagers of
The following incident will illustrate his
power and courage, besides showing *hat he would prove a
formidable opponent to any unarmed man, if hunger
prompted him to dispute possession of his game.
Three of these dark monarchs of the sky were seen soar-
ing high above the crags to the south, which were too
abrupt to ride over. We therefore piqueted our horses to
feed, and began to ascend the mountain slope. In about
an hour and a half we reached the summit, and descended
into a small wooded valley, when we observed the bearcoots
wheeling round towards the upper end, in which direction
we hastened. Having gone at a quick walk for about three
miles, we reached a rocky glen that led us into a valley of
the Bean, known to be a favourite resort of the animals we
were seeking. A small torrent ran foaming through its
centre, and mountains rose on each side far above the snow-
line, In singular contrast with the rich foliage and luxuri-
ant herbage in the valley, the lower elopes facing the north
were clothed with a dense forest.
We had scarcely entered this sylvan spot when a singular
spectacle was presented to our view. A large mat seized
been hunted down by three wolves, who had just
prepared to
him, and the ravenous brutes were tearing the noble animal
to pieces while yet breathing.
inflict
We instantly
t within range. We Pnunnidsehrment on two of the beasts, and crept quietly
cover to ge
suc-
ceeded, and were levelling our nles,
e when Sergae called my
attention to two I
rg bearcoots, peiging aloft and prepar-
ingd we shall
for a swoop. aßewhispered, " Don't fire, an
see some grand sport."
Presently one of the eagl withines shot down like an arrow, and
Was almost instantly followed by the other. When.
about 40 yards of the group, the wolves caught sight of
them, and instantly stood on the defensive, showing their
long yellow fangs, and uttering a savage howl. In a few
seconds the first bearcoot struck his prey ; one talon was
fixed on his back, the other on the upper part of his neck,
completely securing the head, while ho tore out the wolf's
liver with his beak. The other bearcoot had seized another
wolf, and shortly both were as lifeless as the animal they
had hunted.
The third brute snarled when hie comrades set up their
wailing howls, and started for the cover ; he was soon with-
in range, when a puff of white smoke rose from Sergae's
rifle, and the wolf rolled over, dead. The report startled the
bearcoots, but we remained concealed, and they commenced
their repast on the stag. Their attack had been made with
lf
so much gallantry, that neither the old hunter nor
could raise a rifle against them, or disturb their banquet.
When satisfied, they soared up to some lofty crags, and
Sergae took off the skins of the poachers, which he intended
keeping as trophies bravely won by the eagles.
My old friend had spent 30 years in the vast forests and
mountains of Asia. He was thoroughly acquainted with
the habits of the animals, and the feathered race that in-
habit them ; and the daring attack by the bearcoots was
the most interesting scene he had witnessed.
Mr. Atkinson's work is certain of considerable suc-
cess, for, independently of its value as a history of
a comparatively unknown region, it is highly in-
t2rosting as a narrative of adventure. The volume
is embellished with many excellent engravings and
woo scuts, and contains a well-executed map of the
country. In the appendix we find a list of the
mammalia and birds of the valley of Amoor, the
trees, shrubs, and other botanical and geological
statistics which will be of ()Teat service to the
4 eientific reader,