34 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA chap. 



We also had a very exciting chase after a 

 waterbuck, which seemed to possess a fine head ; 

 but he too managed to elude us in the dense scrub 

 of a dry watercourse, without so much as a shot 

 being fired at him. 



At our camp at the Katcimachuko we were visited 

 by some Wakamba from a village close by. They 

 were very much interested in us and brought us 

 news of the game in the locality : in particular they 

 told us where some buffalo and rhino were to be 

 found. 



After a short rest I started off to explore the 

 surrounding country and had a most interesting and 

 adventurous afternoon. I was mounted as usual on 

 Aladdin and accompanied by my two Masai, 

 Abbudi and Mellauw. I saw plenty of game in all 

 directions, and on my way passed quite close by 

 and watched a cow rhino with her little baby a 

 few days old beside her, which looked very much 

 like a large pig. 



Soon afterwards my progress was barred by a 

 deep ravine with very steep and precipitous sides. 

 As it would have been impossible to take a horse 

 down where I struck it, I walked along the edge for 

 some distance until at last I found an animal path, 

 which we could just manage to negotiate to the 

 bottom, although it was somewhat precipitous and 

 narrow. 



