SPORT IN MOZAMBIQUE 



the trap is a chain of a yard in length ; this is fastened 

 to a log of wood of the size of one's thigh, of which 

 the branches have been cut off at about a foot from 

 their bases and well sharpened. The chain should 

 never be attached to a fixed point, for the animal, 

 feeling an invincible resistance, promptly proceeds to 

 decamp. On the other hand, when the robber is taken, 

 it drags away the trap, the chain, and the log. At 

 the price of considerable efforts, it gradually moves 

 off, but not very far. In the morning I take up the 

 trail, which is very easy to follow ; when I approach 

 the animal, a growling announces the fact, and almost 

 immediately afterwards the furious beast charges. 

 It must then be stopped by a bullet or a charge of 

 buckshot. 



Under such conditions, as may well be imagined, 

 the charge of an animal is not very terrifying ; it is 

 made by successive bounds and falls, but the beast 

 still preserves a certain agility which necessitates a 

 quick shot. One has to take the chance that the 

 beast, imperfectly caught, may free itself from the 

 jaws of the trap, and, by a supreme effort, regain its 

 liberty ; when, with a power doubled by rage and pain, 

 it hurls itself on the hunter far more quickly than he 

 reckons. 



Apart from this, it is an amusing sport, which 

 affords a certain amount of excitement when the 

 animal, whether leopard or lion, receives you with 

 open lips, ears thrown back, stiffened tail, protruded 



(80) 



