of the Old World. 301 



or place of ambuscade, on a huge isolated boulder of 

 black rock which commanded all approach to the 

 water within easy range of our rifles. As the sides 

 were scarped we had some trouble to get to the top, 

 which was covered with bush, thorny brambles, and 

 creepers, but with the aid of our axes we soon cleared 

 a space sufficiently large for three or four of us to lie 

 down at full length, on which we constructed a kind 

 of hut, by stretching a "combley" blanket over poles, 

 and covering the outside with creepers, so as to make 

 it resemble a bush from below, leaving loopholes all 

 round to fire through ; we then manufactured a rest 

 for our rifles, and a bamboo ladder to go up and down 

 more easily, after which we carpeted the interior and 

 furnished it with a couple of mattresses, pillows, and 

 sundry refreshments. 



Whilst we were busy preparing our ambuscade, 

 a young buck spotted-deer came out of one of the 

 " runs " leading towards the water, within pistol-shot 

 distance, and was leisurely proceeding to drink, when 

 he caught sight of some of our people down below, 

 which startled him. He stopped, threw back his 

 head, pawed the ground, and coolly retraced his 

 steps, apparently but little alarmed at the sight of 

 man. Had our rifles been near at hand, he might 

 not have got back so easily, for venison is always 

 desirable, especially when there are many mouths to 

 feed. 



