128 SERVICE AND SPORT IN THE SUDAN 



in the gas of the explosion. The idiot of a man had 

 been toying with the triggers. In spite of a problem- 

 atical emergency, I took out the cartridges to guard 

 against almost certain death by misadventure. The 

 shot, unfortunately, started a magnificent waterbuck, 

 which took to the water, and crossed a khor just in 

 front of me. The noble picture fascinated me. 

 Hesitating half-way up the bank, his muzzle in the 

 air, ears cocked, the splendid horns thrown back, he 

 scented danger, but hesitated in which direction to 

 flee. 



The day following this adventure, being well in 

 hand with time, we got out to shoot. As I was 

 shooting up-stream, I arranged to be picked up by 

 the steamer as it continued its journey. When I saw 

 it coming I prepared to do what I had often done 

 before. I handed my rifle to a man on board, and 

 jumped from the bank on to the moving steamer. 

 Alas, my feet went from under me, and my next sensa- 

 tion was trying to swim against the current while 

 the steamer was passing over me. A bad swimmer 

 at the best of times, I had to make up my mind 

 whether to risk being knocked on the head by the 

 paddle of the stern wheel, so I turned over, and with 

 my nails seized the edge of the iron plates of the 

 bottom of the steamer. Of course there was the 

 danger of the river shallowing, and being pressed 

 into the mud. I was reaching for the plate above 

 when I found myself seized by a dozen hands and 

 more, and brought to and held above the surface, 

 feeling very indignant at the unceremoniousness of 



