106 SAVAGE SUDAN 



surely he was the biggest apparently dissatisfied with 

 his billet, left his companions and slowly, sleepily strolled 

 right across our front. His objective, it seemed clear, 

 was a huge leafy shade-tree away on our left. Promptly 

 the sketch-book (with pencil and india-rubber!) was 

 pocketed, now the moment for action had arrived. 



The first bullet told well a mere trifle too far back. 

 With drooping muzzle the stricken beast strode a few yards 

 and stood beneath a flat-topped thorn. At the second 

 shot he dropped from view. Our success now appeared 

 complete ; yet an episode typical of Africa was to follow. 

 I need not further emphasise the helplessness that results 

 from speechlessness. No sooner was the big bull down 

 than away dashed Baraka, calling on me to follow. For 

 ten seconds I forgot that the primary idea engrained on 

 savage mind is ever to kill the lot. Obsessed by that 

 primeval instinct, and regardless of the fallen prize (which 

 he doubtless thought was finished), my good shikari sped 

 away after the main herd, still standing in view among 

 open forest 400 yards away. Not understanding either 

 his tongue or his tactics, I followed. Mad ? Admitted ; 

 but quickly the level mind was recovered when, within 

 brief seconds, I saw in motion the horns of the big 

 roan bull. Already he was on an even keel once more 

 and strenuously struggling to regain his legs. A third 

 bullet at junction of neck and shoulder finally terminated 

 his career. 



This roan was altogether a bigger-bodied beast than 

 the bull previously shot at Meshra-el-Zeraf, standing 62 

 inches at the shoulder and going, by estimation, every 

 bit of 700 Ib. deadweight. His pelt was very shaggy, 

 but paler and less rufous than those of either of that pair. 



Oh, the heat of that afternoon and the tortures we 

 endured from thirst! By half-past four o'clock we 

 regained the river and spent the two remaining hours 

 watching and awaiting the appearance of our smart friend, 

 the harnessed bushbuck, of yester night. But, although 



