A RUN OF BAD LUCK 



19 



On the 2 1 St, I started out early and soon came on 

 fresh tracks of lesser kudu, but it turned out to be a 

 cow and a nearly full-grown calf. We shifted our 

 ground, but again came on the same animals ; and, as I 

 wanted a specimen, I decided to shoot the cow, which 

 turned the scale at 161 lbs. I tracked another, which 

 had been scared by a leopard, and, after it had led us in 

 nearly a complete circle, was just upon it, when the pony 

 neighed and four and three-quarter hours' work was 

 undone in a moment. After a rest, I tramped back to camp 

 and spent the afternoon in looking to skins, writing up 

 my diary, mending a camera, and doing various odd jobs. 

 W. had got a couple of beira, but the others experienced 

 no luck, so we determined to move on. The camels started 

 at 3.10 next morning, but I snoozed by the fire till 5.45. 

 Just outside camp I picked up the track of the previous 

 day's kudu, and, after a short stalk, saw him moving 

 slowly off. As he got on to the open ground, a distance 

 of some 80 yards, he stood and looked back. Twice I 

 cocked and pulled the trigger, and then put in a fresh 

 cartridge, but still with no result ; and, as if to emphasise 

 his contempt for us, the kudu slowly turned and walked 

 away. On examining the rifie I found that the second 

 shikari, whose duty it was to clean it, had let a lot of 

 sand accumulate, so that the striker did not get home. 

 After a long follow, I got a snap-shot at the animal at 

 150 yards in dense jungle, and missed. At the close 

 of a weary and disappointing day, I reached our new 

 camp at Biya Kaboba. My luck with lesser kudu 

 seemed hopeless. During the four months my previous 

 trip lasted I worked hard for them, but one easy shot 



