-^ sport and Nature in Germany 



Let us follow for once the waiulerings of a hunter 

 in I^ast Africa, and give ourselves up completely to the 

 charin of such a sporting ex[)edition. No one is better 

 fitted for making himself^ acquainted with lands that are 

 remote, difficult of access and unhealthy, than the sports- 

 man, who, even in such tracts of country, can find 

 enjoyment. Besides the greater or less delight that the 

 chase itself affords, much besides that is beautiful and 

 desirable will present itself to him. 



When he has got his caravan together he enjoys in 

 the first place the feeling of primitive untrammelled life 

 in the wilderness. We see, indeed, how amongst those 

 who belong to the most highly developed of civilised 

 nations, even in our own days, the need of some dim 

 reflection of this life makes itself plainly felt. Thus, 

 especially in America, we see how many dwellers in cities 

 spend some days out in the woods and prairies, in order 

 to enjoy there for some time under the tent the pleasures 

 of camp-life. 



In a land which, like Africa, harbours all kinds of 

 dangers, we must leave all hesitation behind us. In fact, 

 the charm of dana^er must be an attraction to the huntsman. 

 He has to justify the confidence of his followers and of 

 his comrades. The natives who come in contact with 

 him will by his bearing and conduct form their judgment 

 of all his compatriots, and of his native land as a whole. 

 So there imposes itself on him the duty of regarding 

 himself as a rcprt'sciitative of Jiis nation. Though 

 he is justified, if it comes to that, in def'ending his life 

 even by bloodshed, he will nevertheless seek, as far as 



197 



