o7G THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



and sent a couple of bullet shots through it with 

 my double rifle ; and, wliilst they were examining 

 the weapon, I slipped, the extra loaded chambers in 

 my revolvers and again fired them off, much to 

 their consternation and wonder : indeed, they looked 

 upon me as very closely allied to the " the name- 

 less one," for I heard them congratulating them- 

 selves in an undertone that none of their enemies 

 had demon-inspired pistols that were of fatal aim 

 and never required loading. 



When we again adjourned to the hut I found 

 that breakfast had been served, consisting of several 

 dishes, but I was most woefully disappointed in the 

 cookery, which was wretched in the extreme, I may 

 say execrable ; for, although hungry, I could hardly 

 manage to swallow half a dozen mouthfuls • the 

 bill of fare consisting of rank goat's-flesh boiled 

 up with millet-seed, black broth, sundry prepara- 

 tions of sour milk, smoked kouskous, and pillaf 

 made of rancid butter, roasted Indian corn, and 

 black-looking maize cakes. At last the repast was 

 over, and, making some excuse about looking after 

 the horses, I bolted to my people, whom I found 

 comfortably established and supplied with all they 

 required. 



One of them had managed to get hold of a goose, 

 and, as I felt nearly ravenous, I devoted him to 

 " sudden death," converted him into a savoury mess 

 in less than ten minutes, by an old campaigning 

 receipt which, for the benefit of future foragers, I 



