86 SAVAGE SUDAN 



searchlight, and hope seems to peter out . . . suddenly 

 and inexplicably the wrapt attention of the whole herd 

 ahead appears diverted ; some vagrant pre-occupation 

 arrests their vigilance. With heads held low, some stroll 

 aimlessly ; others stand inert ; none are watching ; all are 

 bemused. For the hunter who has eyes to see, this is a 

 decisive moment. Instantly and almost in full view ere 

 the momentary hallucination pass he risks an advance 

 that, till then, would have been certainly fatal. Now 

 the obstacle is safely passed the rest is easy. Such 

 "lapses," naturally, may not synchronise with a hunter's 

 necessities ; nor be relied upon at any time. It involves, 

 moreover, the closest observation to recognise the chance 

 a sort of appreciation of what is passing in the minds of 

 the game as otherwise a fiasco must result. 



Half a dozen episodes of actual field-work with tiang 

 such as those which follow (were only the pen inspired, 

 which it is not) should convey a more effective insight 

 into the ways and daily lives of these and other wild 

 creatures, than reams of written words. 



TIANG-STALKING 

 (i) SOBAT RIVER, February \st 



Dawn revealed four tiang some 600 yards away on 

 the south bank. We landed at once, but a chance native, 

 passing by, moved the game. Beyond, on open prairie, 

 fed a second herd of thirty, and all now grazed away 

 together towards forest a mile distant. That covert 

 offering better access, by a long encircling detour we 

 gained its shelter, and speedily arrived opposite the spot 

 where the united herds grazed, 300 yards out in the open. 

 The outermost trees grew thin and scattered. I therefore 

 crawled forward alone towards a triple bushy trunk that 

 offered the best cover ; but by evil chance, when within 

 60 yards of that objective, a bushbuck doe obtruded its 

 unwelcome form straight ahead and stood on gaze. Not 



