HYENAS 93 



surrounding the open space in which the "kill" lies. 

 Now a stealthy shape shows itself for an instant on the 

 edge of the bush, darting back again immediately to 

 shelter. Now a maniacal shriek, one of the most creepy 

 sounds to be heard in the African bush, smites the ear, to 

 be succeeded by another interval of dead silence. 



At last, without warning, there is a rush, and a dark 

 form dashes in at the carcass, and, seizing it, attempts to 

 drag away the whole or a portion. A hyaena bolder than 

 the others has at last become convinced that all is well. 

 If lashed firmly down, as it should be, the " kill " will 

 probably hold fast ; but a mouthful of intestines, or a 

 large piece of flesh, may be the reward of the robber, 

 who is at once lost to sight in the outer darkness, whence 

 arises a babel of the most extraordinary noises weird 

 chucklings, screams of eerie laughter, and, occasionally, 

 the typical cry of the hyaena. Several further isolated 

 rushes may be made, and then, if the watcher does 

 not betray his presence, the animals will most likely 

 close in boldly upon the bait. As a gunshot is heard 

 very far at night, and may disturb nobler game, now 

 perhaps drawing near, it is well on such occasions to be 

 provided with a good supply of stones, which serve to 

 scare away the scavengers without unnecessary noise. 



I once watched a hyaena manoeuvring under a branch, 

 whereon had been placed some freshly killed meat. 

 There was a pretty good moon, and the animal could be 

 clearly seen running backwards and forwards at a springy 

 trot, now gazing up at the tempting morsels, now eagerly 

 snatching up some trifling scrap of meat from the ground. 

 Occasionally he seemed to dissolve into the shadows of 

 the background, to dash out and rear himself against the 

 trunk as if to climb the tree ; then he would take a 

 succession of springs, some of them of surprising height, 



