WATERHOLE THRILLS 83 



and since even in blinds we usually change to 

 pajamas, we were drenched to the skin and huddled 

 miserably in wet blankets and sheets. All around us 

 we could hear crackling of branches disjointed by the 

 wind. There were other reports more terrifying 

 at first, for the soil here is volcanic. As a result the 

 roots of the trees are near the surface; and in the 

 heavy rains, when the soil is washed away, the trees 

 fall right and left as if under the axes of hordes of 

 invisible foresters. 



We were repaid, however, for all our misery when 

 the following days turned out fair and we had abun- 

 dant opportimities to take pictures of and study the 

 animals. The bushbuck came down often, hurriedly 

 as do all the gazelle and antelope, fearing, no doubt, 

 attack at any moment from lions and leopards. 

 Centuries have taught them discretion and they do 

 not linger long, but simply drink and hurry away. 

 Little jackals came on a dog-like trot, sniffing the air. 

 Ugly hyenas slouched in with wicked grins and 

 that ugly gait of theirs caused by their long forelegs 

 and short hindlegs. Sometimes at night several 

 would stand and snarl at the moon; and, if you lis- 

 tened attentively, the yelps seemed to take on an 

 individuality, ranging from gruff growls to whimpers, 

 varied with the most impudent and bloodcurdling of 

 staccato laughter. 



Week in, week out, I was very busy with my flash- 



