HUNTING ON THE SIMBA EIYER 245 



beast itself was literally infested with loathsome vermin. 

 Ticks in solid layers (like mussels on sea-rocks) clustered 

 inside the ears, armpits and in every fold of the hide ; 

 while cree23ing and crab-like creatures crawled and sidled 

 away — repulsive to the last degree. A few yards out- 

 side this main lair, the rhino had prepared a second bed, 

 where he could enjoy an open-air siesta. The home- 



PORTERS BRIXGIXG IX EHIXO HEAD. 



w\ard march, burdened with that heavy head, besides 

 the tw^o kongoni, occupied three hot hours. 



All that evening in camp we had a regular serenade 

 of lions, concentrating, it seemed, about the locality of 

 the two abandoned hartebeests. We therefore decided 

 to reach the spot by dawn, and set out at 4.30 a.m. 

 On drawing; near the scene, after two hours' stumblins; 

 in the dark, as day broke we observed vultures sitting 

 on the trees above — a safe index that somethino; was at 

 the carcases. Any doubts thereon were speedily dis- 



