WITH FLASH-LIGHT AND RIFLE 



swamps of the river. The camp I connected with the 

 island by a primitive bridge of tree- trunks and bushes. 



The next day, September 3d, I reconnoitred the isl- 

 and. Several thousand water-bucks were herding on 

 the island and in the surrounding "gambo." Not to 

 disturb the yet invisible buffaloes, I refrained from hunt- 

 ing game; besides, my caravan was well provisioned 

 with Indian rice. But I was almost forced to make 

 use of my rifle against my will when I was nearly run 

 down by two big rhinoceroses. I had strolled away 

 about three hundred feet from my men, and was fol- 

 lowing the cry of the honey-guide, hoping that the lit- 

 tle bird might bring me to the nest of wild bees, for 

 the stored-up honey is a welcome delicacy in the wil- 

 derness. 



I soon found out that the habits of the buffaloes were 

 nocturnal. The grass on the island was partly withered 

 from the heat; only on the edge towards the swamps 

 was it still green. Hundreds of swallows (Glareola 

 fused) nested in the luxuriant swamp vegetation, and 

 myriads of mosquitoes filled the air at night-time. I 

 also observed that a few baboons and long-tailed mon- 

 keys had made their home on the island. 



The water-bucks went to and from the island, fording 

 the river in shallow places without fear of the crocodiles. 

 They, like the buffaloes, seem not to fear these reptiles 

 any more than do the river - hogs, whose voices we 

 could hear from the large swamps. 



164 



