76 HUNTING TRIPS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA. 



The next day, October 2nd, I left Katema's village and trekked on to Chausi, 

 where I camped near a pool in the Rukusi, my tent being pitched under a grand 

 mkuyu tree which gave delightful shade. 



As I saw fish rising in the pool I got out a hook and caught a few, as they form 

 a pleasant change of diet after tough meat and fowls. One of the fish I had not seen 

 before. It was shaped like a small trout and had black spots on the sides, the colour 

 being silvery. 



Started out at 5.30 next morning, and tramped for a long way, but could not 

 find any large spoor, although the whole country is full of cow elephant spoor, fresh 

 and old. About midday I came to a valley in the hills which has evidently been the 

 playground of elephants for centuries, for paths led into it from all points of the 

 compass. Here I found a series of pools, some of which had been used by the huge 

 beasts as baths. One hole in particular was like a cement bath, all smoothly 

 plastered on the sides by the animals rubbing and throwing water over themselves. 



Leaving here, we went on, getting into some very parched country, and about 

 midday reached a dried-up stream, in the sandy bed of which was much elephant 

 spoor. Digging for water, we found a little, so I decided to rest until the cool of 

 afternoon. However, rest was out of the question, for the tsetse flies were in myriads, 

 and they gave us no peace. It was amusing, watching the men trying to sleep, and 

 be suddenly awakened with a bite in some tender spot. For myself, I sat and 

 smoked and kept a branch moving the whole time, which helped to keep off the flies ; 

 but it was hard work. 



When the sun had dropped into the western horizon, we started off for camp, 

 Machila leading, as he knew the direction and easiest way. Going over a rise, I saw 

 him bob down and beckon me. On going foward I saw a fine roan antelope bull, 

 half facing, with his big ears up. I fired immediately, and dropped him with a shot 

 through the spine. Leaving two men to cut him up, I promised to send out more 

 men when I reached camp, to carry in the meat. This beast had a good head, one 

 horn being 28jin. and the other 26in. 



As I seemed no better off here than I was before, I went back to Katema's 

 village, a distance of about fifteen miles. On the way I had a shot at a kudu, which 

 jumped up and bolted, but with no result. He had a very nice pair of horns. In this 

 wild, broken country the natives collect quantities of honey, and I was often able to 

 barter some for meat. Something sweet is a necessity in the bush ; the system 

 seems to crave for it, and I am sure it gives one strength. I know that whenever I 

 am out of sugar, jam, or honey, I do not feel as fit for hard walking as I do when I 

 can eat plenty of these substances. Tea also is most refreshing, and I hardly ever 



