AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



larger than our elk. Nevertheless F. insisted that 

 the animal was standing behind it, and that he had 

 caught the toss of its head. We lay still for some 

 time, while the soft, warm rain drizzled down on us, 

 our eyes riveted on the bush. And then we 

 caught the momentary flash of curved horns as the 

 sable tossed his head. It seemed incredible even 

 then that the tiny bush should conceal so large a 

 beast. As a matter of fact we later found that the 

 bush grew on a slight elevation behind which was 

 a depression. In this the sable stood, patiently 

 enduring the drizzle. 



We waited some time in hopes he would move 

 forward a foot or so; but apparently he had selected 

 his loafing place with care, and liked it. The danger 

 of a shift of wind was always present. Finally 

 I slipped back over the brink of the ravine, moved 

 three yards to the left, and crawled up through the 

 tall dripping grass to a new position behind a little 

 bush. Cautiously raising my head I found I could 

 see plainly the sable's head and part of his shoulders. 

 My position was cramped and out of balance for 

 offhand shooting; but I did my best, and heard 

 the loud plunk of the hit. The sable made off at a 

 fast though rather awkward gallop, wheeled for an 

 instant a hundred yards farther on, received another 

 bullet in the shoulder, and disappeared over the 



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