230 STALKS ABROAD 



wart-hogs jumped up. I had a snap but missed. 

 I particularly wanted a good pair of tushes, but 

 though I twice wounded a boar I never obtained 

 one all the time I was in Africa. But that is 

 always the way ! Whilst following these wart-hogs 

 we moved three impala, one a good buck. They 

 made off up the hill. I followed, and marked them 

 slowly moving along the ridge just out of sight of 

 a little valley. I doubled back down the hill and 

 came up on the crest at the spot where I thought 

 they would be passing. I had hit it off a little 

 bit too well, for I came bang on top of them at 

 about five yards distance. A bush was between us, 

 and they were not long in realising their danger. 

 The big buck stopped some distance off. I could 

 just see him through the trees and in despair took 

 a shot. It was pouring with rain, and the wind 

 right in my face. I had very little hope but to 

 my joy heard the bullet smack, though he went on. 

 However, I got up to him all right and we had 

 impala steak for dinner. His head was one of the 

 best I got. 



The river wound through the most delightful 

 little dells and glades, thickly covered with white con- 

 volvuli and other flowers. Wide-spreading mimosas 

 gorgeous with some flaming red parasite whose name 

 I did not know gave another splendid touch of colour. 

 Close to the river we found a zebra which had been 

 killed a few hours previously by a lion. Its hind- 

 quarters were torn asunder, its eyes gone, and alto- 



