ALONG THE “TRAIL Iis 
clared to be an ass. We advanced slowly. As there 
was no cover, there was no possibility of a stalk, and 
the chance of a shot at reasonable range seemed re- 
mote, for we had found in our previous experience 
that the wild ass is extremely shy and when once 
alarmed travels rapidly and for long distances. We 
-approached to within two hundred yards and had 
begun to think that it was a native’s tame donkey 
and expected to see its owner appear in the neighbour- 
hood, when it became uneasy and started to bolt; but 
its curiosity brought it about for a last look and we 
took advantage of the opportunity and fired. It was 
hard hit, apparently, but recovered and stood facing 
us. We approached closer, and thinking it best to 
take no chances fired again—and then he merely 
walked about a little, making no apparent effort to 
go away. We approached carefully. He showed no 
signs of fear, and although “hard hit”’ stood stolidly 
until at last I put one hand on his withers and, trip- 
ping him, pushed him over. I began to feel that if 
this was sport I should never be a sportsman. 
We now discovered that our scant supply of water 
was exhausted and although we wished to continue 
the hunt we realized that to get farther from camp 
without water would be risky indeed. The guide had 
assured us that there would be plenty of opportunity 
to get water on our route but we knew that it was five 
hours back to water, the way we had come, and five 
hours without water in the middle of the day would 
mean torture. It is said that in that region thirty 
hours without water means death to the native and 
