VIII AN EVENTFUL XMAS DAY 93 



riding in the keen mornino- air is perhaps the most 

 enjoyable meal of the day. 



While pots and pans were being- packed away 

 and preparations made for resuming the march, I 

 once more attempted the ascent of the rock, while 

 my companions elected to go on with the safari. 



This time I was successful in my climb, and got 

 a beautiful view of the country from the broad flat 

 summit of the rock, which was, as far as I remem- 

 ber, some twenty yards or so in diameter at the top. 

 I had not been long on the look-out when I saw 

 a fine bull eland come trotting along in my direction, 

 as if he had been disturbed somewhat by the noise 

 of the safari. 



Now I knew that Mrs. S. was desperately keen 

 on shooting an eland, so as this one had by far 

 the largest pair of horns I had ever seen, I was 

 naturally anxious for her to bag it if possible. I 

 could still see her in the distance, riding ahead with 

 the safari, so I tried my best to attract her atten- 

 tion, but without result. The eland, however, saw 

 me and stood stock still, gazing wonderingly up at 

 my perch on the castellated rock, not fifty yards 

 away. 



Seeing that I could not in any way attract Mrs. 

 S.'s attention, I called down to my gun-bearer to 

 jump on Aladdin and gallop after her as fast as he 

 could eo. Now this man had never been on a 



