HUNTING IN AFRICA 117 
not to be done, any more, in a few weeks. Even to get 
good specimens of such beautiful antelope as the common 
Grant, Thompson’s gazelle, Impala bushbuck, Gnu, or 
oryx, will, in all likelihood require many weeks of conscien- 
tious work. Lion go by luck, you may hear them nightly 
and rarely see them by day. Nine times out of ten you 
may take every precaution, mount the ridges slowly, use 
intelligently your gunboy’s splendid eyes, as well as your 
own inferior ones, they will see you first. In that case 
you have no chance, unless you are on fairly good riding 
ground and have a sufficiently good pony to bring them to 
bay. This is all true of rhino with presentable horns. 
He takes much trouble to find. Good men have spoored 
buffalo for a month without getting a shot, and elephant 
no man can count on. 
So I cannot advise anyone to attempt to get a good 
collection of heads, or to hope to see African wild game at 
all thoroughly, unless he can spare six months at least for 
the trip. For a serious trip then, how should you go? 
I have no hesitation in saying that there is little danger 
likely to attend it, if you secure the backing of an experi- 
enced hunter, on whose shooting and nerve you can depend 
in a tight place. I also have no less hesitation in saying 
that a man who is not reasonably a master of his nerve 
and weapon, is foolish to attempt dangerous game, alone. 
Then, it must be remembered, that sometimes, especially 
in the case of the plentiful and unaccountable rhino, 
vicious game may attack him, and is sure to do so when 
he least expects it. Reliable hunters knowing the country, 
who will not take the tyro when he ought not to go, are to 
be had. Mr. Hoey, of Eldama Ravine, is one of the 
best. Mr. Cunningham is another, Newland, Carlton 
Company, can supply several more. 
I am far from wishing to exaggerate the danger of the 
wild beast. I believe that, from a variety of causes, this 
