192 SCENT, SIGHT AND SOUND 



hundped miles, approaching horsemen were 

 ahvays warned by the neighbours to be deaf 

 to her siren voice. 



Guides. Much as I hke the savage as a 

 man, I am cautious in engaging him as guide. 

 On two occasions I arranged that my guide 

 was to be shot if he showed up at home without 

 my written release. Knowing that detail, my 

 first guide was a success, but the second left 

 me to die, and went home without my certifi- 

 cate. 



Rather than put one's trust in guides, maps, 

 trail directions, the compass or any other form 

 of vanity and vexation, it is wiser to rely on 

 common sense in scouting. And there the 

 indications given by one's horse are always 

 valuable. 



Scent. It is doubtful if man or horse is ever 

 perfectly healthy in civilization. Both suffer 

 from chronic catarrh, so that the smaller 

 animal has to carry and use a handkerchief. 

 Under range conditions the kerchief is more 

 useful round one's neck, for the nostrils are 

 dry, and, both in horse and man, the senses 

 are more active. At half a mile I have smelt 

 a mountain river — like a wet knife. Once, at 

 about five miles on a windless day my two 

 horses snuffed a fresh pool and bolted for it at 



