CHALLENGED. 143 



no chance of learning how close game was to be 

 found, and as all were too tired from our late 

 journey, nobody seemed disposed to go forth and 

 seek for it. 



At moon-up we were again " inspanned," and, 

 soon after starting, the features of the landscape 

 underwent a complete change, open park-like country 

 replacing the dense jungle we had so lately passed 

 through. Sailing over a smooth sea with just suffi- 

 cient wind to get six or seven knots out of your 

 craft, galloping over a good grass country on a well- 

 bred horse up to your weight, are both delightful 

 sensations ; but neither are more enjoyable than a 

 trek across the "high veldt" at night, when the 

 moon is at her full. The temperature at that time 

 is all that can be desired, while your beasts invariably 

 appear in such excellent spirits that they impart light- 

 ness of heart to both master and attendants. On 

 turning a small -clump of bush that jutted into the 

 track, we were suddenly brought to a halt by a 

 native challenging us. This stranger soon after made 

 his appearance, when, having inspected us and being 

 satisfied that no danger was to be apprehended from 

 our party, he gave a low plaintive whistle (in imitation 



