CHAPTER XII 



BUFFALO 

 ARABIC Gamoos 



BUFFALO I had not specially included in my Sudan 

 programme or ambitions. That was partly because I 

 already possessed specimens, but far more because 

 previous experiences had taught me that any systematic 

 pursuit of these great bovines involves a certainty of 

 hard work and endurance that tests physical powers to 

 the utmost. These, in one's seventh decade, it is wise 

 to economise, especially under a tropical sun. Should 

 luck or chance throw buffalo across my path, well and 

 good ; but with such hazard I had resolved to content 

 myself. The marked difference between the buffaloes 

 of Central Africa and those of the Sudan of course 

 I knew quite well. Now that trophies of both hang 

 before me, I am half-inclined to award the palm to the 

 latter type. 



At various points both in Kordofan and to the east 

 of White Nile we had struck fresh buffalo spoor; but 

 though often following the track for considerable distances, 

 had never been rewarded by a vision of coal-black hides 

 ahead. Sometimes a burning spoor led right through 

 the forest and out into open veld beyond. When this 

 veld was bounded by further forest that looked not more 

 than a mile or two away, we persevered. But on each 

 occasion the tireless hoof-prints held on on on- -never 

 did we succeed in overhauling them. Though blank 



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