GOOD GAME COUNTRY. 229 



this view of the matter. However, I consented to 

 go and see Cotondway first ; and accordingly about 

 9 A.M., having bid farewell to the rest of the party, 

 left camp with eight followers in all, steering as 

 nearly as possible north-north-west. 



The first hour's march was through a range of 

 stony hills covered with stunted forest, and devoid of 

 vegetation — not even a blade of grass to be seen. 

 I saw the footprints neither of man nor of beast ; 

 but as I stood on the top of the last ridge we 

 had to cross, an extensive tract of flat land lay be- 

 neath, covered with thick forest. Here and there 

 might be seen small clearings, which were evidently 

 cultivated. It looked a good game country all over, 

 and at first sight reminded me of the glorious Wy- 

 naad forests of Southern India, as seen from some of 

 the outmost spurs of the Neilgherry Hills. Having 

 rested for half an hour to enjoy the cool breeze, I 

 made tracks for the lowlands. On entering the 

 forest beneath, I was struck by the quantities of 

 really fine timber I saw; and none of the grass, which 

 was in many places very high, had as yet been visited 

 by the flames, though it was quite dry, and ready for 

 burning. 



We had not gone far when we found fresh tracks of 

 buffalo, as well as footprints of numerous species of 

 antelope ; but as I knew not what kind of reception 

 Cotondway had in store for me, and was therefore 

 anxious to reach his village early, I gave up the idea 

 of hunting for the day. When we had penetrated some 

 two or three miles into the forest, we struck on the 

 dry and sandy bed of a broad river. This, my guides 



