268 



CREEPING UP '1O GAME. 



When approaching game on open ground the ad- 

 vance should always be made slowly, and sudden 

 motions of any kind must be avoided, especially when 

 at close quarters. One of the circumstances that the 

 traveller in a wild country quickly becomes aware of 

 is the fact to which we have already drawn attention, 

 that his eye is at once attracted by anything in 

 motion. The same facility is enjoyed by game, in an 

 even greater degree, and when on the alert they in- 

 stantly detect the slightest movement of the smallest 

 object. If the advance therefore is over level open 

 ground, destitute of cover, the hunter must creep along 

 as slowly as possible, lying flat upon the chest, and 

 from time to time punting along on the elbows, keep- 

 ing the hands and feet well down, and carefully avail- 

 ing himself of the shelter of tufts of grass, fern or any 

 other species of cover, however small ; thus ant-hills 

 in many tropical countries are most useful to hunters 

 on these occasions. 



If he has to creep up-hill he will naturally advance 

 head foremost, but going down-hill it is best to go 

 feet foremost. Under favourable circumstances how- 

 ever, there are generally small undulations of the 

 ground, which even on the flattest plains will materi- 

 ally favour the stalker's progress, and which may 

 enable him even to walk up unseen, within shooting 

 distance. It is obvious that the great art in stalking 

 judiciously is to so lay out the line of advance, that 

 full advantage may be taken of whatever may facilitate 

 action in this way. 



If the hunter sees that his approach has been detected, 

 the only chance is to remain perfectly still until the 

 game take their eyes off him; unless he does so, he 



