CHAPTER XIV. 



SPORT ON THE RUKUSI STREAM. 



I ARRIVED in North-Eastern Rhodesia again on September 15th, 1908, having 

 been a trip home. I had first gone to Mlanje, in Nyasaland, where I had 



hoped to get a Hcence to shoot elephants in Portuguese territory, but finding 

 the Portuguese officials so dilatory in granting one, I left there, and decided to try 

 for elephants in Rhodesia instead. Only two bulls can now be shot a year in this 

 country. A few years ago the number was unlimited, then it was reduced to three 

 bulls, and now, as I have mentioned, it is only two. It is evident the Administration 

 do not want elephant-hunters in the country. After staying with a friend (Mr. A. A. 

 Langshaw) for about ten days, I got about twenty carriers and made a start. The 

 first night I camped at an Angoni village, called Nyunka's, where there was fairly 

 good water and some nice big trees. The next day, after a long walk, I reached 

 Chisea, where the water is horrible, as it has a bitter, brackish taste. Having been 

 here on several occasions, I knew what to expect, so made arrangements for water to 

 be brought from a village some four miles away, giving the people meat in exchange. 

 On the 27th I went out shooting, and managed to secure three reedbucks in a big 

 dambo. I saw many more which I left alone. 



The reedbuck does not run in herds, but are found in couples as a rule, although 

 I have often seen three or four together. 



After sending the reedbucks back to camp I went on, hoping to see some larger 

 game ; but although I walked some distance and saw a considerable amount of spoor 

 of roan and eland, I did not come on any of the beasts themselves. Having 

 stopped at a village to arrange about giving meat for some good water, I came back 

 to camp by a different direction, and on the way shot a very nice ram reedbuck 

 with a beautiful pair of horns. 



Next morning, at 6 a.m., I left, and reached Chinunda's village at 8.30. The 

 headman, Chinunda, has a big group of villages here, along both sides of the Rukusi 

 stream, which is in pools at this time of year. 



After stopping to give the carriers a rest and to have some tea myself, I went 

 on to Katema's small village, which is only composed of four or five huts. I had 

 previously camped here before on three occasions, and I knew the surrounding 



