200 After Big Game in Central Africa 



not yet resumed the semi-aquatic life which we lived 

 at the Kapoche camp ; but we shall soon, for storms 

 follow one another at short intervals, accompanied by 

 deafening claps of thunder, and rain cannot be long 

 in falling with abundance and regularity. 



Meantime my men and I again cross the country. 

 The dry season was a time of rest for our legs ; now 

 begins again the period of long marches up hill and 

 down dale, over forest and plain, in search of game. 



Twice already we have seen traces on the ground 

 which are unknown to us. Tambarika himself is 

 unable to inform us, and though I am doubtful as to 

 what animal made the marks, which resemble those 

 of a buffalo, but are much larger and more elongated, 

 I guess we have to do with giraffes. Having seen 

 these animals in zoological gardens, I describe them 

 to my men. They look at me with an air which 

 leaves no doubt as to what they are thinking : 

 the glances which they exchange say as plainly as 

 words, " Up to now we should not have thought the 

 master such a joker. A great change must have 

 come over him." 



I question the first native we see about our 

 discovery, and describe a giraffe to him, which he 

 corroborates in every point, even giving me the 

 name of the animal in " Barotse," a name which I 

 had forgotten. 



Supplied with information, and accompanied by a 

 few native hunters lent me by the chief of the 

 country, I find myself, a few days afterwards, in the 

 region frequented by giraffes, and doubly desirous of 



