VII 



THROUGH A GAME COUNTRY 



81 



were on the right trail, as we found a drop or two 

 of blood on the edge. The side of this precipice, 

 as well as the whole valley beneath, was covered 

 with a matted tangled mass of trees, shrubs, and 

 creepers, and as I looked at this I despaired of ever 



"I SAW THE HUGE BEAST STRETCHED OUT IN THE THICKET, 

 STONE DEAD." 



finding any trace of the wounded animal in such an 

 expanse of undergrowth. 



However, I intended to make a thorough search, 

 so I tied Aladdin carefully to a tree, and off we 

 all started down the steep face of the escarpment. 

 Abbudi led the way, and while I was still lowering 

 myself from the topmost rocks I heard a cry of 



