HUNTING ON THE MARCH. 215 



while listening, as if to the Oracle of Delphi, to some 

 old hunter then beside him, as he pointed out (as if he 

 had been there to see them) the various descriptions 

 of animals that had been on the ground. 



Let us now suppose that the first outlying stragglers 

 of the herds have been sighted. Ought he to stop the 

 march of his caravan, and try his luck off-hand ? Or 

 ought he to wait for some future and more favourable 

 opportunity ? 



This brings us to the vexed question of travelling 

 and hunting while on the march. Of course lucky 

 chances of getting game in this way will every now 

 and then present themselves, which it would be foolish 

 for the traveller not to avail himself of but experience 

 shows that the practice is not as a rule attended with 

 very satisfactory results. It usually entails the expen- 

 diture of much labour with very small returns, especially 

 if it be conducted on foot. 



If the hunter spends his time in beating up covers, 

 or stalking game visible at a distance in the open plain, 

 while the caravan continues its journey, he will most 

 likely find himself left behind a considerable distance, 

 and must subsequently overtake his party either by 

 running or riding after it. The weight of any game 

 he may succeed in obtaining will of course materially 

 increase the labour of doing this and he may lose his 

 way and 'get left out on the plain, for the night at all 

 events. 



It would be impossible as a general rule to halt and 

 wait for the hunter, as that might entail being unable 

 to reach the next water before sundown, and other 

 contingencies. It is therefore usually necessary for the 

 march of the caravan to continue uninterruptedly. 



