114 ON SAFARI 



access. I cannot of my own experience assert that 

 such is the case. Indeed, I have never been able to 

 recognise that mere heat, however great, had any 

 appreciable effect on these creatures of the torrid 

 zone, or caused the least relaxation of their w^ondrous 

 watchfulness. 



However that may be, at least to the hunter, the 

 difference between the two periods is enormous. The 

 cool breeze that rejoiced the dawn has given place to 

 the fiery furnace of a vertical sun. The very earth feels 

 molten ; dust chokes the prostrate stalker and per- 

 spiration blinds. The reflected heat from below and 

 direct rays from above combine to render sunstroke 

 (followed by fever) quite a possible item among the 

 day's results. 



No, be astir wdth the dawn, spend the matutinal 

 hours abroad, but return by eleven to rest in your tent or 

 beneath those shade-giving mimosas that Nature has 

 provided for the purpose. Thus is conserved the North- 

 born vigour ; climatic risks are avoided ; and then, to- 

 wards four o'clock, when rays decline from the perpen- 

 dicular, you can put in two or three hours' good w^ork 

 in comparative comfort. 



Darkness has settled down. A mile or so ahead 3'ou 

 catch the glint of the camp-fires. Not as in Norway 

 will Lars and Ivar now have to create a blaze from scant 

 material, and that often wet. Here all is ready to hand. 

 Your tent-boys,' Enoch and Shadrack by name, awatch 

 your coming afar, ready with a "long drink" prepared. 

 It is only " sparklets and lime-juice," but delicious to 

 parched throat. Enoch removes your boots and 

 generally acts valet, while his mate has a bath and dry 

 clothes all ready. Another "boy" stands by with 

 sponge and towel. Luxuries, indeed, in the wilderness 

 that one expects not, nor desires, at home ! Half-an- 

 hour's rest and a pipe, the day's experiences compared, 

 diaries entered up, and then dinner is announced. 

 Beneath a spreading acacia stands the table, smart in 



