36 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP. 



to make us out, he crashed off out of the ravine in 

 the opposite direction. I was hugely relieved and 

 pleased to see his broad black back show now 

 and again through the scrub as he swiftly made his 

 way up the far bank of the nullah and disappeared 

 into the bush. 



It was a good lesson, but the experience might 

 have been too dearly bought. Never again shall I 

 go down a precipitous narrow track into a bush- 

 covered ravine in the wilds, without first assuring 

 myself by much stone-throwing and hallooing that 

 there is no dangerous beast lurking at the bottom 

 waiting to give me a possibly too-warm reception. 



My afternoon's adventures were not yet over. 

 I continued on my way for another hour, making 

 notes of the country and the game. I then saw a 

 very fine waterbuck, which I started to stalk; and 

 so intent was I in manoeuvring to get a shot, that I 

 very nearly walked into a rhino that was standing 

 behind a thick bush which I was making use of to 

 cover my advance on the waterbuck. The huge 

 beast soon attracted my attention pretty forcibly, 

 for just as I approached the bush, out it dashed 

 from behind its covert and charged viciously at 

 me. I only had my .303 loaded with a soft bullet, 

 but I was lucky enough to break the brute's leg as 

 it came for me, tumbling it completely over. I then 



