70 THE IMAGE OF WAR 



Chilaw, and it was to act in this capacity that we 

 had sent for him. He informed us that there was 

 a fair amount of game at a place two days off to 

 the north - east, and we told him to instruct the 

 drivers accordingly. 



The next camp was not any good for big game, 

 but we got some water-fowl. In the evening Jim 

 Crow said if we liked to put off our start for a 

 few hours, there was a water-hole, where the bears 

 often came to drink, near the camp. Will abso- 

 lutely declined to sacrifice his slumbers, but 1, who 

 was younger and keener, said I would go. Jim 

 Crow accordingly went off to arrange a stand for us, 

 and after dinner I accompanied him thither. 



To sit up for possible game in the tropics one 

 must be very keen, for the discomfort is very great. 

 The stand only consisted of a couple of poles to 

 sit on ; the mosquitoes, whose numbers were easily 

 accounted for by the presence of water, were mad- 

 dening, and of course I couldn't smoke. After 

 straining my eyes for about an hour (for there was 

 no moon), I noticed the tracker was fast asleep and 

 threatening to drop off his perch, he was nodding 

 so violently. I gave him a shake and roused him, 

 although I could hardly help feeling it was a pity 

 he should not drop into the pool and thus obtain 

 the bath, of which, if I could rely on my olfactory 

 organs, he stood so greatly in need. 



Shortly afterwards I heard a stick snap to my 

 right, and all my senses were on the alert at once. 

 ■ I hastily retouched my sights with a little piece of 

 phosphorus I carried on purpose, and listened in- 

 tently. It was evident from the sound that one or 

 more heavy animals were coming down to drink. 



