76 SPORT IN THE EASTERN SUDAN 



point where they know that danger exists, and I have 

 already mentioned the risk that attends shooting 

 out of pits owing to this habit. 



When one is searching the scene of the encounter 

 next morning for some sign that the quarry is 

 wounded, it is as well to bear in mind that extended 

 claw-marks on the ground are nearly as good a sign 

 as blood itself. Having found blood, and tracked it 

 up for 50 yards or so, I generally returned to camp, 

 had an early breakfast, and made preparations for a 

 regular day's work. The greatest caution is necessary 

 in following up big felines, owing to their power of 

 concealment, and this is the time when the heavy 

 cordite rifle is likely to be requisitioned, though in 

 the case of a leopard a *500 Express will do all that is 

 necessary. The sportsman must keep abreast of the 

 trackers as they advance, and must call back anybody 

 who shows a tendency to forge ahead. I never met 

 with an Arab who showed the least tendency to hang 

 back under these circumstances. One man at least 

 should be deputed to throw stones into likely places 

 before the trackers reach them, and another should 

 remain at his master's elbow with a spare rifle. For 

 the rest I can only advise the sportsman to shoot 

 straight and to keep on shooting. 



