RIDING THE PLAINS 



after which we plucked barbed quills from some 

 very grieved dogs. The quills were large enough 

 to make excellent penholders. The dogs also swore 

 by all canine gods that they wouldn't do a thing to 

 a hyena, if only they could get hold of one. They 

 never got hold of one, for the hyena is a coward. 

 His skull and teeth, however, are as big and powerful 

 as those of a lioness; so I do not know which was 

 luckiest in his avoidance of trouble — he or the dogs. 



Nor from the shooting standpoint did we lack 

 for sport. We had to shoot for our men; and we 

 occasionally needed meat ourselves. It was always 

 interesting, when such necessities arose, to stalk 

 the shy bucks and do long-range rifle practice. 

 This shooting, however, was done only after the 

 day's hunt was over. We had no desire to spoil 

 our lion chances. 



The long circle toward our evening camp always 

 proved very long indeed. We arrived at dusk to 

 find supper ready for us. As we were old cam- 

 paigners we ate this off chop boxes as tables, and sat 

 on the ground. It was served by a Wakamba 

 youth we had nicknamed Herbert Spencer, on ac- 

 count of his gigantic intellect. Herbert meant well, 

 but about all he succeeded in accomplishing was a 

 pathetically wrinkled brow of care and scared eyes. 

 He had never been harshly treated by any of us, 



167 



