126 LIFE WITH THE H AMR AN ARABS. 



two bullets entered directly behind the right shoulder, 

 and within four inches of one another. Vivian also saw 

 two leopards, but could not get a shot at them. 



Cumming has found unpleasant enemies in some 

 bees that regularly set upon him and stung him about 

 the eyes, but beyond temporary pain they have done no 

 harm. He is very pleased with the proof he has had 

 to-day of the killing powers of his twelve-bore rifle by 

 Grant, charged with five drachms of powder and steel- 

 tipped bullets ; for of two buffaloes he killed one fell 

 dead from a shot in the neck, and the other from two in 

 the front of the chest. Hamet played him a practical 

 joke by telling him that one was a rhinoceros, and he 

 only found out the mistake after carefully stalking it for 

 some time. Now that we have all shot buffaloes and 

 know that they can always be found when wanted, they 

 cease to give us any special interest, and we would rather 

 avoid them in consequence of their interfering with 

 other sport ; but this cannot always be done, for our 

 men will always try to show us some, as they set such a 

 value on their flesh and hides. 



Coke has also had a practical joke played upon -him, 

 but of a very different kind. Having apparently struck 

 down dead with his express rifle a very fine tetel, he 

 was so pleased with it that he stood over it for some 

 minutes taking measurements and examining the wound, 

 whilst Said was busily employed sharpening his knife on 



