MILITAR Y AD VENTURES. 267 



to it was long and dreary. We encamped 

 that night on the edge of the jungle which 

 appeared to be of great extent; it was 

 densely clothed with low bushes and a 

 rank, tall grass, which made it exceedingly 

 hard work finding a passage through it, 

 and there were very few open spots where 

 we could get an easy shot : our only 

 chance was to walk along as quietly as 

 possible and without speaking. Sports- 

 men make a great mistake in talking ; 

 it is a very frequent habit, which in my 

 opinion should be relinquished ; for the 

 wild animals have the greatest horror and 

 fear of the sound of a man's voice, and 

 make off directly they hear it ; but they 

 are so often accustomed to hearing a 

 heavy tread in the jungle, that they do not 

 so much mind it. By advancing quietly 

 and cautiously, animals will let you get 



