LESSER KUDU 



the guides took us a short cut ovc-r the hills, where they 

 said we should find greater kutlu. However, we saw- 

 none, and had to ride back some way, as the caravan 

 had been compelled to halt short of the intended camp- 

 ing place, one camel having fallen by the way and many 

 of the others being dead beat. In the afternoon we 

 had a little riHe-shooting, when I got excellent practice 

 out of my Paradox, but found the telescope of the .256 

 wanted adjusting, as it shot low. The following day 

 I lost my way in thick low jungle, and did not find 

 camp at Gurgura for some hours. On arrival, I found 

 that H. had a greater and a lesser kudu, W. a 

 lesser kudu, while B. was bewailing his luck at missing 

 one. Four more camels had died, making a total of 

 ten since we started. 



The 1st of December proved a red-letter day for 

 me, my bad luck with lesser kudu at last changing. 

 At 6 A.M. 1 started off through thin jungle towards some 

 low hills, at first passing herds of camels, goats, and 

 sheep belonging to neighbouring villages ; then, as the 

 jungle grew denser, the beasts vanished, and tracks of 

 game began to appear. Suddenly the guide stood still 

 and gave a low warning whistle ; I crept to him, staring 

 in all directions, but could see nothing till close to my 

 attendant, when he pointed out a porcupine in the bush, 

 just disappearing into the mouth of a hole. I fired 

 and dropped it dead ; another immediately came up 

 behind, shuffled past it and disappeared, without giving 

 me a chance. The one 1 had killed was a male, and 

 w^eighed 28 lbs. Although in many places they are 

 common enough, one very seldom sees porcupines, and 



