144 After Big Game in Central Africa 



Stillness must have reigned for about half an hour 

 when the hoot of an owl (a cry which is Kambombe's 

 speciality) tells us that our companions have seen 

 something from their tree ; and a second afterwards 

 the same signal is repeated. Opening our eyes very 

 wide, we look in all directions through our port-holes, 

 but see absolutely nothing. And yet it is relatively 

 light. The moon gives the country a uniform silvery- 

 blue appearance, and upon it the bushes stand out in 

 dark blotches. There, by the side of the water, in 

 which the stars are reflected, is the body of the zebra, 

 having the appearance of a black mass. Field-glass to 

 my eyes, I examine every yard of ground, this precious 

 instrument, which has rendered me inestimable ser- 

 vices in similar cases, allowing me to distinguish 

 details admirably. I examine each bush, every plant, 

 the banks of the pool, and the zebra. There is 

 nothing. I conclude that our comrades are pointing 

 out something which is outside our range of vision, 

 and I resume my immobility with ears on the stretch, 

 bringing my glass to my eyes each time that I see 

 something unusual. 



In regard to rifles, I have put my 303 on one side, 

 because too great precision is needed to use it success- 

 fully. The Express with its shorter sight, for which 

 I have substituted a large white pea-sight, is better 

 suited to the circumstances. My six -shot Win- 

 chester loaded with buckshot I keep within reach in 

 case of too dangerous proximity on the part of animals. 

 My two companions are armed with the Express No. 2 

 and with the 303, which they are not to use unless 



