260 AFRICA SPEAKS 



both sides. In the open spaces could be seen thousands 

 of head of game, mostly wildebeest, topi, and zebra. 

 I knew that /or every animal visible there were fifty 

 more hidden by trees and bush. This is no exaggera- 

 tion, for while only three species were discernible, in 

 that same stretch of country roamed many thousands 

 of lesser buck, such as impalla, Grant's gazelles, tom- 

 mies, dik-diks, and, of course, hundreds of Hons, 

 hyenas, and jackals, to say nothing of the immense 

 number of giraffe. 



We went in another direction the following day in 

 search of wildebeest herds, for some film was needed 

 of these animals. We found plenty of them but they 

 were mixed with zebra which seemed to be more 

 timid than usual. It is probable that they had been 

 bothered a great deal by Hons, for the country was now 

 overrun with the big cats. The smell of the ta^vny 

 prowlers is enough to send the zebra off in a stampede, 

 while the sight of one throws them into a panic, so it 

 is no wonder these black-and-white horses of the 

 plains were timid. 



We did not secure what we wanted in the way of 

 wildebeest film, but the day was not lost, for we photo- 

 graphed some excellent close-ups of a huge old bull 

 giraffe, who obHgingly posed in the most suitable 

 settings of light and composition. We followed him 

 around for an hour or more, until finally the old fellow 

 became annoyed at our persistent attentions and, 

 kicking up his heels, made off in that long rocking- 

 horse gait which seems so awkward but which carries 

 them over the ground at surprising speed. 



Upon returning to the bhnds again we had fair 

 success, obtaining a few scenes of gazelles and other 



