JOINING IN A DANCE. 317 



and a steep walk, but wlien I began the ascent myself 

 two of them followed me. On reaching the spot 

 where the buck had stood when first I fired, I showed 

 them his footprints and the bullet-mark on the 

 rock, telling them that I would follow his tracks 

 and see where the second shot had given. " Oh !" 

 said they, " that's of no use, we all heard it hit the 

 rock also." 



It was very nearly dark, and though within five yards 

 of them, none saw the dead buck, which was almost 

 of the same colour as the ground on which he lay. 

 Telling them to look about for the bullet-mark on the 

 ground, I stood and watched them. At last one 

 " twigged " the beast, and all were astonished at the 

 distance at which I had killed him. Few rifles 

 would have done such a feat ; but Rigby's 10 bores 

 are true and strong. 



On reaching the river, we were nearly eaten alive 

 with mosquitoes, while waiting for the boat from the 

 other side. Dancing, singing, and general rejoicing 

 prevailed in the village all night. As the chief, who 

 was very civil, begged I would kill some meat for him, 

 I went out next morning, and without going very far 

 succeeded in bagging a male and female of the water- 

 buck family, quantities of which are to be seen wher- 

 ever the eye turns. Another night's rejoicing fol- 

 lowed, and the chief begged I would join in a dance, 

 which I felt compelled under the circumstances to do. 

 However, being introduced to rather a nice partner, 

 I managed to pull through the performance, though I 

 fancy once or twice I rather disgusted some of the old 



