In Wildest Africa * 



looking down upon the extensive, scantily-wooded slopes. 

 Are we going to bag our game to-day ? 



I could produce an African day-book made up of 

 high hopes and disappointments. Not, indeed, that re- 

 turning empty-handed meant ill-humour and disappoint- 

 ment, or that I expected invariable good luck. But a day 

 out in the tropics counts for at least a week in Europe, and 

 I like to make the most of it. Then, too, I had to reserve 

 my hunting for those hours when I could give myself up 

 to it body and soul. How often while I have been on the 

 march at the head of heavily laden caravans have the most 

 tempting opportunities presented themselves to me, only 

 to be resisted fine chances for the record-breaker and 

 irresponsible shot, but merely tantalising to me ! 



On we go through the wilderness, still upwards. I am 

 the first European in these regions, which have much of 

 novelty for my eyes. The great lichen-hung trees, the 

 dense jungle, the wide plains, all charm me. The heat 

 becomes more and more oppressive, and I and my 

 followers are beginning to feel its effects. We are weary- 

 ing for a halt, but we must lose no time, for we have still 

 a long way before us, whether we return to our main cam]) 

 or press onwards to that wooded hollow yonder, four hours' 

 march away, there; to spend the night. 



A vast panorama has been opening out in front of us. 

 We have reached the summit of this first range of hills, 

 and arc: looking down on another deep and extensive valley. 

 My field-glasses enable me: to descry in the far distance 

 a herd ot eland making their way clown the: hill, and two 

 bush-buck graxing hard by a thicket. But these have 



