Big Game Shooting 



The camp was pitched in an open glade on a 

 bend of the Guaso Nyiro River, which runs into a 

 soda lake some ten miles away in German territory, 

 called Lake Natron. Tents had been discarded 

 long ago, both on account of the heat and also in 

 order that they should not be worn out with un- 

 necessary use. Instead we built ourselves large and 

 airy houses of grass, thatched on a big framework 

 of poles. The houses were some sixteen feet 

 high, topped with a long ridge-pole, and about 

 thirty feet long, thus giving plenty of space for a 

 bedroom and sitting-room in one, and ample 

 accommodation for one's boxes of food, general 

 baggage, and trophies of the chase. The huts 

 were open at both ends, to allow of a free passage 

 of air right through. 



My domicile is shown in the accompanying 

 photograph. The grass has been cut all round 

 forming rude paths, and a buffalo head is drying in 

 the sun. One has to sleep under a mosquito curtain. 

 The winged pests appeared regularly at sundown, 

 and kept up their maddening music till next morn- 

 ing. There was no getting away from them. 



This was a splendid shooting centre, the 

 country simply swarming with antelopes of 

 various species, buffalo, giraffe, rhinoceros, and 

 partridges. After one has fed on venison for a 

 time a bird is a great relief from the tough steaks 

 and legs, however nicely they may be disguised by 

 a good cook. 



64 



