A Dangerous Visitor. 227 



of game. To this spot I determined to move the 

 camp on the following day. While we were 

 eno-a-o-ed in movino; the next mornins", Sir John 

 Willonghby hnnted. His grey pony played liim 

 a nasty trick, galloping ofl' after he liad dismounted 

 to shoot at a reit-]:)nck, and Sir John had to come 

 into camp on foot. One of the grooms was sent 

 out in vain to look for the pony, and '" the 

 Baboon's" spooring skill had to be called upon to 

 find the lost animal. He found and brought him 

 into the camp late in the afternoon. With the 

 best-trained and most certain horse it is most un- 

 wise to neglect the precaution of attaching the 

 bridle to your waist by a string. If all alone on 

 the veldt, the loss of your horse might be attended 

 by the most disagreeable and even serious conse- 

 rpiences. While we were outspanning this morn- 

 ing my servant observed a large snake close to the 

 waggon. I quickly got my gun and shot it A\diile 

 it was wrio'o-lino; off into some bush, AVhen 

 examined Lee pronounced it to be a col^ra of con- 

 siderable size. The l)ite of this snake is very 

 rapidly fatal to man or beast. The snake measured 

 4 ft. 6 in, in length, and was in thickness equal to 

 about three fingers. Broad stripes of dull yellow 

 and grey marked the body, Lee said it was a 

 very rare occurrence to meet with this snake. In 

 the afternoon I took the '511 rifle and had a long 

 I'ide, but no shot. Sir John Willoughby hunted 

 towards the Umfuli by himself, and shot a roan 

 antelope bidl, not returning to camp till after 

 dark. Next day he went oft' with '' the Baboon " 



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