The Begamiti Flats 
double eight-bore Paradox, carrying ten drams 
of powder and a three-ounce specially hardened 
bullet, a ‘577 double Express Blackpowder, and 
a double hammerless ejector °303. 
At Fontesvilla my black boy Tom joined me, 
having come down the coast to Cape Town in one 
of the warships, after the Nimbi palaver. I also 
engaged a professional hunter, Kopping by name, 
to take me out on a short trip in the immediate 
vicinity. For at the time of which I am writing 
buffalo, hartebeest, wildebeest, lions, quagga, 
and bushbuck could be obtained by going out 
from the hotel and returning the same evening. 
Professional hunters made a fair living by 
shooting game of all kinds, selling the flesh to 
the hotel and others, and the horns and skins 
to visitors. 
Kopping could only come with me for a short 
while, as he was bespoken by another sportsman, 
who was expected any day. 
We engaged a few boys as porters, bought in 
sufficient stores, and marched for the Begamiti 
flats. 
Being somewhat late in setting out, we were 
unable to complete the desired distance in the 
first day, and therefore camped in a small grass 
hut of which Kopping often made use. It was 
almost dark when we came on the place, and 
the entrance was so low that I had to go down 
on my hands and knees to craw! into it at all. 
73 
