A Hunting Expedition 



rushing through the air at that early hour. My 

 dress was pretty simple — a khaki shooting shirt, a 

 pair of khaki shorts and puttees. Twelve miles out 

 I met a local chief, who gave me some milk and 

 delicious fruit known as "papaw." A few miles 

 further on the road was so overgrown with elephant- 

 grass and "wait-a-bit" thorns that I had to wheel 

 my cycle for the remainder of the distance. It was 

 not till late in the afternoon that, crossing the river 

 and climbing up the hill on the far side, I caught a 

 glimpse of my encampment. 



After a refreshing tub, I partjook of a good meal 

 which my cook had prepared for me and laid out 

 under the shade of some trees. My head boy was 

 reported missing, and I presumed had not got over 

 his sulks. 



I was now quite close to Masindi, but instead 

 of keeping on I turned off the main road and headed 

 eastward for the Sese swamp. On arrival I pitched 

 my camp, making myself as comfortable as I could 

 under the circumstances, and sent for the chief. 



He soon appeared, and I told him I only 

 wanted two things — firstly, food for my people; 

 and secondly, news of elephant. He, knowing the 

 white man would pay well for his sport, sent 

 numerous natives to the four winds of heaven to 

 look for tracks. There was nothino- for it but to 

 sit down and wait in suspense. I set my porters 

 on to build me a "banda," or native hut of grass, 

 as my tent was quite uninhabitable during the heat 

 of the day. 



103 



