HUNTING IN AFRICA 129 
the crashing of the bushes, a few yards away, as he 
charged off, and not at me! 
Mr. A , of the Chicago Field Museum, a first-class 
shot and hunter, tracked buffalo for two months in this 
country before he secured what he wanted. If you have 
time and patience, and wait till you get a fair chance, and 
so can choose your head, you are reasonably sure, for years 
to come, to be able to secure, what I think is the best trophy 
that Africa can yield you. 
Professional hunters have always made use of the 
local native for elephant hunting. These were commonly 
sent off to look for fresh “sign,” or to locate herds, the 
ivory hunter staying in camp till reliable news was brought 
to him. This is really almost the only way to secure big 
ivory, and it means that for a considerable time, all other 
hunting and travelling must be foregone. Personally, I 
never cared enough for an elephant to do it. The waiting 
may be for long, and the wooded country you are obliged 
to wait in is dreary in the extreme. Of course, sefaris 
may, and do, happen on to elephant. I have done so three 
several times, and twice have been able to stalk close up 
to the herd. But in none of those three cases was there 
a big tusker in the lot. The game regulations now forbid. 
any elephant to be shot carrying less than sixty pounds: 
of ivory to the two tusks. Now there is no reason why a 
much more frequent use of local native help should not be 
made, when other game than elephant is sought. But 
very few sportsmen think of doing so. If you want lion, 
try and reach the neighbouring N’dorobo, or Massai or 
Kikuyu, tell them they are sure of “‘bakshish” if they 
show you a fresh and undisturbed “kill.” The “undis- 
turbed”’ part of the bargain is all important, for if they, 
as they are apt to do, go first up to the carcass, and cut 
off some of the meat, or, if you are in Kikuyu land, and they 
set snares for the birds (these snares are very cleverly laid, 
