XLVII 

 THE MAGIC PORTALS CLOSE 



IT seemed hopeless to try for a picture. Never- 

 theless I opened wide my lens, steadied the 

 camera, and gave it a half second. The result was 

 fairly good. So much for a high grade lens. We 

 sent Kongoni in to camp for help, and ourselves 

 proceeded to build up the usual fire for signal and 

 for protection against wild beasts. Then we sat 

 down to enjoy the evening, while Mavrouki skinned 

 the kudu. 



We looked abroad over a wide stretch of country. 

 Successive low ridges crossed our front, each of a 

 different shade of slate gray from its neighbours; 

 and a gray half-luminous mist filled the valley 

 between them. The edge of the world was thrown 

 sharp against burnished copper. After a time the 

 moon rose. 



Memba Sasa arrived before the lanterns, out of 

 breath, his face streaming with perspiration. Poor 

 Memba Sasa ! this was almost the only day he had not 

 followed close at my heels, and on this day we had 



372 



