LATER VISITS TO SOUTH AFRICA 141 



Out of all my narrow escapes this is the only one that 

 remained with me in recollection for any time. On four or 

 five other occasions I was half or wholly stunned, and therefore 

 not very clear about my sensations ; but on this I was well 

 aware of what was going on and over me. One hears of night- 

 mares well, for a month or more I dare say, I had night- 

 elephants. 



My reader will be glad to know that this is the last mishap 

 I am going to tell him of, and that my contribution to the Big 

 Game of Africa is finished. I beg his pardon for not making 

 it more interesting, but I began a new trade too late in life. 

 At starting I only proposed to give the stories of the illustra- 

 tions ; this I have done as well as I am able, but I have 

 coupled them together with remarks not strictly within the 

 subject of ' Big Game,' because in writing of African animals I 

 could not quite get rid of African surroundings ; and, besides, 

 entirely by themselves they looked too bare. I hope I may 

 be excused, therefore, for going a little beyond the limits pre- 

 scribed for this ' accidental ' sketch. 



