ftoualesn Oeotflc <Borfccm Gumming 279 



volubility. Another troop of dogs were fighting over 

 the wildebeestc I had shot, which they had begun to 

 devour. On beholding them I expected no other 

 fate than to be instantly torn to pieces and con- 

 sumed. I felt my blood curdling along my checks, and 

 my hair bristling on my head. However, I had 

 presence of mind to consider that the human voice 

 and a determined bearing might overawe them ; and 

 accordingly, springing to my feet I stepped on to the 

 little ledge surrounding the hole, where, drawing myself 

 up to my full height, I waved my large blanket with 

 both hands, at the same time addressing my savage 

 assembly in a loud and solemn manner. This had 

 the desired effect : the wild dogs retired to a more 

 respectful distance, barking at me something like collies. 

 Upon this I snatched up my rifle and commenced 

 loading ; and before this the entire pack had passed 

 away, and did not return." 



Strange sights indeed met the hunter's eye when he 

 thus lay in ambush at the watering-places. Here is 

 his record of a particularly thrilling experience after 

 killing a rhinoceros : 



" On reaching the water I looked towards the carcase 

 of a rhinoceros, and to my astonishment I beheld the 

 ground alive with large creatures, as though a troop 

 of zebras were approaching the fountain to drink. 

 Kleinboy remarked to me that a troop of zebras were 

 standing on the height. I answered ' Yes ' ; but I knew 

 very well that zebras would not be capering around 

 the carcase of a rhinoceros. I quickly arranged my 

 blankets, pillow, and guns in the hole, and then lay 



