HUNTING IN THE SOTIK 



their bulky bodies against the horizon; but a shot in the 

 ground seemed to make them hesitate, and they finally con- 

 cluded not to charge. So, with the lion skin swinging be- 

 hind between two porters, a moribund puff adder in my 

 saddle pocket, and three rhinos threatening us in the dark- 



\ giant candelabra euphorbia by our camp 

 Front a photograph by Edmund Heller 



ness to one side, we marched campward through the African 

 night. 



Next day we shifted camp to a rush-fringed pool by a 

 grove of tall, flat-topped acacias at the foot of a range of 

 low, steep mountains. Before us the plain stretched, and 

 in front of our tents it was dotted by huge candelabra 

 euphorbias. I shot a buck for the table just as we pitched 

 camp. There were Masai kraals and cattle herds near by, 

 and tall warriors, pleasant and friendly, strolled among 

 our tents, their huge razor-edged spears tipped with furry 

 caps to protect the points. Kermit was off all day with 

 Tarlton, and killed a magnificent lioness. In the morning, 



