iv WATERHOLE THRILLS 73 



forests such as those that surrounded our base camp. 

 In the height of the rainy season the latter often 

 journey forth while the waterholes of plain and 

 desert are filled to the brim; but when the worst of 

 the rains are over they troop back again. Boculy, 

 that wise man of the trail, tells me that some rhino 

 never leave the forest, even in the deluge. As for the 

 elephants, they are always glad to get back, once the 

 rains are past, to feed on the wild sweet yoimg ends 

 which they dote on. 



As some of our best and most interesting work was 

 done around the waterholes, it might be well for me 

 to describe a day at one. 



By June the heat is terrific and dries up all standing 

 water except the larger oases. Our plan is usually to 

 build a blind of thorn bushes. Thorn branches are 

 also put in spots around the water where the camera 

 cannot reach. This keeps the game before us. We 

 go in early and wait for the animals to come. It is 

 tedious work. 



I am out at five, eat breakfast, and call the boys to 

 get the cameras. Lunch has been put up by the 

 assistant cook. Osa and I go afoot to the blind, 

 which is some distance away, just as the sun is coming 

 up. It is the most delightful part of the day. During 

 our two or three mile walk we pass hordes of all kinds 

 of game. Hyenas and jackals scurry out of our way. 

 Zebras screech and cough. Lions often roar nearby; 



