BULLET AND SHOT 



as it will probably be found that they have resumed their 

 usual pace a few hundred yards further on. We are now 

 on the open prairie again, all eyes for the expected herd. 

 Ah, what is that about one hundred yards off, half con- 

 cealed by the trunk of an indine tree ? After a little 

 reflection we are satisfied that it is only an ant-hill or 

 an indine leaf, which are both easily mistaken for tsine, 

 the maxim here, as elsewhere, holding good that animals 

 only inhabit places or country which closely resembles 

 the shade of themselves and so act as a self -protection 

 from man. Thus the elephant inhabits the dense shade 

 of thick forests, and it must be seen to be believed 

 how effectually this trait acts as a complete concealment 

 of the presence of the animals. Bison, which are black, 

 inhabit the same sort of country, but tsine which are 

 a bright chestnut, must live on the yellow lands of the 

 plain .where the soil and the ant-hills harmonise with 

 the colour of their hides. On we trudge, dipping in and 

 out of nullahs, taking a view under the lowest branches of 

 the forest as we go. 



My attention is arrested by some movement ; ah ! sure 

 enough, the swishing to and fro of tails, which, like any 

 movement in the quiet jungle, immediately rivets the 

 observation. The herd is in front of us. I can see 

 them now, as I write, seven of them following one another 

 in irregular order ; to our left and a little ahead is a knoll ; 

 here no doubt the herd made its midday siesta, and, as 

 the sun declined, came slowly trooping out to graze ; they 

 wander on athwart our track, presenting their bright sides 

 to a side-shot ; as they graze along they do not raise their 

 heads but hold them always on the qui vive in such a 

 manner as to be able to see under the branches of the 

 forest trees ; the breeze or rather the currents of the air (for 

 there is no breeze proper) are apparently unfavourable to 

 us, for one of the herd moves round with head still 

 declined and peers in our direction ; the others, without 

 moving, take note of their comrade's attitude in silence. 

 The only chance now of a shot is to fling away the sun- 



490 



