Northern Nigeria 



The measurements of this buck's horns are 

 worthy of record. Length, 26 inches ; tip to tip, 

 14 inches ; and girth at base, 8J- inches. 



That night, there being several of us on Jebba 

 island, we played a game of poker. Whether I 

 won or lost made no impression on me. One 

 thing I well remember, that in the small hours 

 of the next morning I cut Porter through the 

 pack for the "joker," and the head with it. 

 I lost. 



On taking over a company of Torubas at 

 Lokoja, I formed the acquaintance of a very 

 sporting full private named Ajala, who accom- 

 panied me on every other shooting expedition I 

 had in Northern Nigeria. He was the keenest 

 man I ever met on the hunting of " beefs,' ' as 

 big game are ingloriously termed in pigeon 

 English. Being a well-conducted person and of 

 considerable influence among the other men, I 

 raised him once to the position of Lance-Corporal. 

 This, however, interfered with his duties as my 

 hunter, and I fear he never tried to shine in his 

 military career, and was very thankful to be 

 reduced again to a humbler rank. 



The first two months of 1899 I was busy 

 soldiering, and hardly got any sport. One flying 

 shoot I had, chiefly noticeable for two unpleasant 

 experiences. Firstly, I rode out ahead of every 

 one, fixing the top of a hill for my impedimenta to 



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