AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



same time as cautiously as we could. At the edge 

 of the opening we came to a halt, belly down, and 

 began eagerly to scrutinize the brush across the way. 

 If the kudu still lingered we had to find it out before 

 we ventured out of cover to take up his trail. Inch 

 by inch we scrutinized every possible concealment. 

 Finally Cuninghame breathed sharp with satisfaction. 

 He had caught sight of the tip of one horn. With some 

 difficulty he indicated to me where. After staring 

 long enough, we could dimly make out the kudu him- 

 self browsing, from the tender branch-ends. 



All we could do was to lie low. If the kudu fed on 

 out of sight into the cover, we could not possibly 

 get a shot; if he should happen again to cross the 

 opening, we would get a good shot. No one but a 

 hunter can understand the panting, dry-mouthed 

 excitement of those minutes; five weeks' hard work 

 hung in the balance. The kudu did neither of 

 these things; he ceased browsing, took three steps 

 forward, and stood. 



The game seemed blocked. The kudu had evidently 

 settled down for a snooze; it was impossible, in the 

 situation, to shorten the distance without being 

 discovered; the daylight was almost gone; we could 

 make out no trace of him except through our glasses. 

 Look as hard as we could, we could see nothing with 

 the naked eye. Unless something happened within 



370 



