320 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



two miles and a half, solid, of big game. It was 

 a great and formal trek, probably to new pastures. 



Then I turned my attention to the Roberts' 

 gazelle, and my good luck downed a specimen at 

 273 yards. This, with the Bohur reed-buck, made 

 the second new species for the day. Our luck 

 was not yet over, however. We had proceeded 

 but a few miles when Kongoni discovered a herd 

 of topi. The safari immediately lay down, while 

 I went ahead. There was little cover, and I had 

 a very hard time to get within range, especially 

 as a dozen zebras kept grazing across the line of 

 my stalks. The topi themselves were very un- 

 easy, crossing and recrossing and looking doubt- 

 fully in my direction. I had a number of chances 

 at small bucks, but refused them in my desire to 

 get a shot at the big leader of the herd. Finally 

 he separated from the rest and faced in my 

 direction at just 268 yards. At the shot he 

 fell dead. 



For the first time we had an opportunity to 

 admire the wonderful pelt. It is beautiful in 

 quality, plum colour, with iridescent lights and 

 wavy " water marks " changing to pearl colour 

 on the four quarters, with black legs. We were 

 both struck with the gorgeousness of a topi 

 motor-rug made of three skins, with these pearl 



