AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



occasionally do these hard-working settlers get a 

 chance for hunting on the plains so near them; 

 and now they had promised their native retainers 

 that they would send back a treat of game. To 

 carry this promised luxury a number of the villagers 

 had accompanied the bullock wagon. As we were 

 to move on next day, it became very desirable to 

 get the meat promptly while still near home. 



We slipped over to the other side, and by good 

 fortune caught sight of a dozen zebras feeding in 

 scrub halfway down the hill. They were out of 

 their proper environment up there, but we were 

 glad of it. Down on our tummies then we dropped ; 

 and crawled slowly forward through the high, sweet 

 grasses. We were in the late afternoon shadow of 

 the hill, and we enjoyed the mild skill of the stalk. 

 Taking advantage of every cover, slipping over into 

 little ravines, lying very flat when one of the beasts 

 raised his head, we edged nearer and nearer. We 

 were already well within range, but it amused us 

 to play the game. Finally, at one hundred yards, 

 we came to a halt. The zebra showed very hand- 

 some at that range, for even their smaller leg stripes 

 were all plainly visible. Of course at that distance 

 there could be small chance of missing, and we 

 downed one each. The Wakamba, who had been 

 watching eagerly, swarmed down shouting. 



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