XIV FINDING THE MAN-EATERS’ DEN 161 
the banks of the river. As we were making our way 
slowly and painfully through the dense jungle, I came 
across this well-trodden path, which appeared to lead 
in the direction in which I wished to go, and as I 
felt convinced that at any rate it would bring us to 
the river somewhere, I followed it with confidence. 
Our progress was now easy, and the track led 
through fairly open glades where traces of bush- 
buck and water-buck were numerous ; indeed once or 
twice we caught glimpses of these animals as they 
bounded away to the shelter of the thicket, warned 
by the sound of our approach. In the end, as | 
anticipated, the old rhino path proved a true guide, 
for it struck the Athi at an ideal spot for a camping 
ground, where some lofty trees close to the bank of 
the river gave a most grateful and refreshing shade. 
We had a delightful picnic, and my guests greatly 
enjoyed their night in the open, although one of 
them got rather a bad fright from a rhino which 
suddenly snorted close to our camp, evidently very 
annoyed at our intrusion on his domain. 
In the morning they went off as soon as it was 
light to try their luck along the river, while I 
remained in camp to see to breakfast. After an 
hour or more, however, they all returned, empty- 
handed but very hungry ; so when they had settled 
down to rest after a hearty meal, I thought I 
would sally forth and see if I could not meet 
M 
