XLV 

 THE ROAN 



OUR last camp, before turning back, we pitched 

 about two o'clock of one afternoon. Up to this 

 time we had marched steadily down wide valleys, 

 around the end of mountain ranges, moving from 

 one room to the other of this hill-divided plateau. 

 At last we ended on a slope that descended gently 

 to water. It was grown sparingly with thorn trees, 

 among which we raised our tents. Over against us, 

 and across several low swells of grass and scrub- 

 grown hills, was a range of mountains. Here, 

 Mavrouki claimed, dwelt roan antelope. 



We settled down quite happily. The country 

 round about was full of game; the weather was cool, 

 the wide swoops of country, the upward fling of 

 mountains and buttes were much like some parts of 

 our great West. Almost every evening the thunder 

 storms made gorgeous piled effects in the distance. 

 At night the lions and hyenas roared or howled, and 

 some of the tiny fever owls impudently answered 

 them back. 



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