Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



a circular tour of some length through very dense 

 country. Whilst performing this evolution we found 

 that the bottom of the valley was several feet deep 

 with water, and, worse still, we came upon a very 

 difficult marsh. 



From my former elevated position on the tree 

 top, the ground had looked comparatively easy, but 

 in reality it turned out a truly trying piece of work. 

 Finally, we made for the shelter of the trees, and 

 scarcely daring to breathe, cautiously advancing 

 step by step, fearing lest the snapping of a twig 

 might betray our presence, we gradually crept 

 closer. It was ticklish work and not very pleasant. 

 You could not see two yards in front of you ; at the 

 same time, you knew the enormous herd were only a 

 few yards distant, but you could not see what they 

 were doing. Your nerves, strained by the eerie 

 silence around, expected each moment that a 

 violent stampede straight in your direction would 

 follow, and in which case there would be little or no 

 chance of safety. After what little experience of 

 big game shooting I have had, it appears to me that 

 you can divide your feelings into well-defined 

 periods. You start from your camp full of energy, 

 and the boldness engendered by complete security. 

 This dwindles as you proceed, and when you strike 

 off across the "gubba" on to fresh tracks, you begin to 

 realize that you are not playing an ordinary parlour 

 game of kiss in the corner. Then your orderly 

 presses his finger on his lips to indicate the prox- 

 imity of the quarry, which leads you inadvertently 



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