WILD LIFE ACROSS THE WORLD 



About a mile from the scene of the experience I 

 have just related is a large papyrus swamp, the home 

 of a herd of bufifaloes. It was here that the late Colonel 

 Roosevelt shot his first buffalo when more than a 

 hundred of the fierce animals charged him. He had 

 absolutely no cover of any kind, but by great coolness 

 and skill brought down the leader, thus saving his own 

 life and those of his party. Had he failed the herd 

 would in all probability have crushed and trampled 

 every soul to death. 



Later on Boyce's Balloon Expedition built a plat- 

 form about twelve feet high on four posts in this 

 swamp to get photographic studies of this herd, but 

 without success. My friend Heatley, who owns the 

 place, kindly gave me permission to try my hand. 

 He cautioned me, as they were an agressive lot, one 

 having chased and nearly caught him on his horse only 

 a few days previously. I took food and water to last 

 for three days and nights, perched myself aloft, and 

 patiently waited for a sight of the herd. At the end 

 of three days I crawled homewards without having 

 exposed an inch of film. I draw a veil over the story 

 I could tell about mosquitos in that swamp ! Heatley's 

 manager told me of a curious experience. Walking 

 along the edge of the papyrus and rounding a corner he 

 came upon a python and hyena in deadly combat only 

 some eighteen yards away. They took no notice of 

 him, but continued to fight until the hyena finally 



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