Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



about five o'clock in the evening, I came across some 

 somewhat purer water. I was stooping down to fill 

 my cup when my boy pulled my sleeve and shouted, 

 "Look, Effendi, elephants!" On the opposite hill 

 was a large herd wending its way to the shambas 

 in search of sugar-cane and other delicacies. They 

 presented a wonderful spectacle; and if my licence 

 had not been already exceeded, how I would have 

 rejoiced ! As it was I sighed and moved onward. 



On my arrival in camp the chief came and com- 

 plained to me bitterly about the destruction wrought 

 by the large herds of wandering elephants to the 

 shambas in his district. I was prevented from 

 helping him, as I had already shot more than my 

 licence allowed. It seems a great pity that the 

 administration do not allow officials to shoot these 

 marauders, as it would relieve the natives from 

 their annoying attentions, and at the same time 

 supply the Government Treasury with increased 

 funds from the sales of the tusks. 



I had now reached Kikoma, on the Katonga 

 river. I crossed the river on the following morning 

 on my way to Kissossi. The country was very 

 flat; and owing to the heavy rains, the road was 

 more under water than usual, which is saying a 

 good deal. But I was able to decipher more easily 

 the footprints of the various and numerous big 

 game which must have quite recently crossed over 

 the road. Hippopotamus, jackals, lions, and buck 

 had left their tracks behind them, and by tracing 

 these as I marched along I could form in my mind 



256 



