Diary. 73 



thin bush about 100 yards (ho came all round 

 me) with the 500, all misses. Went out in even- 

 ing, saw nothing. 



16th March, Friday. — Moved camp about 

 three miles north of Darur to the place where 

 I saw fresh lion pugs on the march down. Went 

 out in morning. Saw the single oryx I missed 

 yesterday, but he saw me first and w^ent off from 

 the maidan into bush. I expected him to go 

 some way and entered the bush rather carelessly. 

 Oryx was near the edge of it, spotted me, and 

 went off again. This time I had to follow his 

 tracks about one mile before I saw him. Stalked 

 him successfully up to about eighty yards; he 

 saw me as I raised the rifle and stood turned 

 partly toward me. Shot grazed point of 

 shoulder, entering body just behind it. He 

 turned, went about five yards, and stood looking 

 at his side. Caught him in middle of body with 

 left barrel ; he went off and stood again at about 

 120 yards. Caught him in centre of body high 

 up and dropped him. When we got to him he 

 stood up and faced us with his head lowered. 

 The Somalis tell me an oryx is not at all a safe 

 beast to cut the throat of if a bit lively. I gave 



