146 ON SAFARI 



niglit, since out there the night is very much alive — 

 more so than the clay. The rush of something in the 

 bush, a scuffle and clatter ahead, cause a chill sensation 

 to run uninvited through one's nerves ; it is probably 

 only some antelope or a bush-pig, or a pack of guinea- 

 fowl disturbed at roost ; but it might have been a lion 

 or a rhino. Along the lake-shore, from beyond the 

 fringing reeds, resound the sullen grunts of the hipj^o, 

 and horrid splashes of water recur — one cannot see 

 where. 



" From away to the left comes a long-drawn growl. 

 •' Lion,' some one whisj)ers. ' No,' mutters a shikari 

 in one's ear ; ' that's a leopard where you killed the 

 waterbuck yesterday.' 'Let's go and see,' we reply, 

 determined to let no sign of ' nerves ' appear, and out 

 across the moonlit veld we move. There, sure enough, 

 are ghostly shadows retreating and reappearing from out 

 the pall. These are scouting jackals and hyenas; and 

 just beyond we see, glistening in the moon-rays, the 

 white vertebrae and ribs of the waterbuck — all minor 

 anatomical items already devoured or carried off. 



" Slowly pass those long dark hours while we explore 

 mile after mile of the lake-shore, examine with night- 

 glasses bay after bay and infinity of calm moon-lit 

 waters. Now it is time to make for our appointed posts 

 ere the sun discovers us. One of us takes position on a 

 reed-clad promontory, the other on some rocks a mile 

 beyond. 



" From my covert amidst sedge and flag, a typical 

 African scene unfolds as the sun dispels the mists and 

 mirages of the morn. First, two solitary snipes alight 

 on a rocky islet close in front, stow their long bills 

 along their backs, and go to sleep ; a shoveler-drake, 

 with lustrous green head, prods the shore with ungainly 

 beak ; then a pair of African mallards [Anas undulata) 

 alight alongside the unnoticing snipes, preen for a 

 minute, and themselves go to sleep. The drake's near 

 foot constantly slips over the narrow ledge. This for 

 some time he refuses to notice, but can't stand the 



