The Bahr-el-Zeraf 



pursued by a bevy of bee-eaters, catching the 

 flies and insects we kicked up on our way. 



"Once on board the lugger," and my friend 

 surprised me by saying that he could stand my 

 company for another two days, which meant that 

 he was able to afford himself two extra days' 

 leave of absence to go and visit some more 

 villages in this neighbourhood. Overjoyed with 

 my good luck in thus being enabled, with his 

 assistance, to have a further try for game through 

 the medium of the steamer, we planned a cam- 

 paign to be directed against Mrs. Gray's water- 

 buck. 



Although I had never set eyes on a living 

 specimen of this superb animal, I trust I may be 

 pardoned for giving such description of himself 

 and his habits as lies in my power. 



This was the only beast that the hon. member 

 for Khor Attar's reputation dwindled under! I 

 must make amends for this statement, however, 

 and put in a good word for him, as he took me to 

 all the well-known fancy places in which Mrs. Gray 

 is likely to be found — to all his own special 

 preserves, on his own special gunboat ; in short, 

 he did me "top hole"; and the way he and I 

 sweated and slaved for even a sight of the white 

 spot on the withers — the sign-manual of this elusive 

 buck — really deserves a mention in despatches. 

 We fondly hoped to find " her " with her arms out- 

 stretched to take us in ! She did the latter all 



163 



