SEFARI LIFE 139 



to the other, each recognizing the day time as the time 

 of nature's truce. The swift have no need to flee, the fierce 

 no wish to pursue. Each goes about his business till the 

 evening. But when once darkness has fallen over the 

 plain, at the first deep guttural roar of the lion, you can 

 hear, though miles away, the tumult of retreat, into which 

 that dreaded signal throws them. 



Be sure and make good use of those first, fresh hours, 

 there are none others like them. To start early from camp, 

 and to get back early, is a golden rule in Africa. Arrange 

 your personal matters the night before. Leave nothing 

 to be done at the last moment in the morning. He who 

 is hunting round, then, perhaps in the semi-darkness, for 

 cartridges, compass, knife, who calls to his tentboy to see 

 that his saddle bags are in order, is almost sure to leave 

 something important behind. Here let me suggest a plan 

 to others, which I, a man with the poorest of memories 

 have found to work admirably. Have your sefari clothes 

 made with large, and very numerous pockets, all of them 

 covered with buttoning flaps. Let each indispensable 

 thing have, and always keep, its own special pocket 

 compass, whistle, tobacco, and pipe, measuring tape, knife, 

 matches, note-book biscuits and chocolate, syringe and 

 permanganate of potash, bandage, lint, and string, always 

 carried in your saddle bags. Keep these indispensables 

 there during the day. Leave them always there during 

 the night. Put on your clothes in the morning, and there 

 you are. This saves the unforgivable on sefari, keeping 

 others waiting, till temper is lost or strained. 



There are really a great many things to be seen to, 

 before you start for the day, and the uncertain light of 

 early morning is not a good time to see to them. There 

 is, on the other hand, plenty of time in the evening. See 

 to them then. 



A prompt start at or before sunrise has another 



