252 AFRICA SPEAKS 



We carefully piled up some dry grass, protecting it 

 from the wind, then struck the first match, which 

 followed its predecessors to wherever a match goes 

 when it goes out. The next one started the grass 

 blazing, but then it was a problem to find sufficient 

 fuel, for we were out in the plain and all the wood was 

 in the donga or on its banks. Necessity forced us to 

 take a chance in our efforts to keep the fire burning, 

 as otherwise some hungry carnivore could walk right 

 up to us in the darkness, without either our knowledge 

 or permission. While engaged in the tickhsh task of 

 picking up wood along the donga, a near-by Hon growled 

 and we raced back to the fire, losing part of our precious 

 fuel on the way. When the blaze was leaping brightly 

 we made a second round trip to the donga, then sat 

 down feeHng somewhat secure. As the hghts of the 

 truck flashed around a bend in the road, Jones absent- 

 mindedly pushed his hand into his largest pocket £uid 

 found a full box of matches! 



To vary the monotony of waiting in blinds, Ted, 

 Austin, and myself went out to photograph impalla, 

 but although lucky enough to find a large herd, we 

 were soon convinced that these animals were going to 

 be most difficult to film. Deciding our chances would 

 be better with two trucks, we started campwards, 

 recording enroute some good herd shots of zebra, 

 wildebeest, and topi. While buzzing merrily along, 

 a wart hog sow, followed by several youngsters, crossed 

 our path. We badly needed scenes of baby animals, 

 so started out to capture as many of this fitter as 

 possible. The race was through a tree-strewn country 

 and while going thirty miles or more an hour, we hit 

 a large pig hole, breaking a front spring and causing 



