Trail and Camp-Fire 



back the meat, and it was not uncommon for 

 us to return at night, the camel loaded down 

 with all he could well carry. We gave away 

 most of the game to some neighboring vil- 

 lagers, who were glad to have such feasts, 

 and showed their gratitude by giving dances 

 before our tents. 



One day, while out shooting in this region, 

 a small herd of oryx ran by in single file, 200 

 yards or more away. I tried the Winchester 

 on each animal as he passed, and, at the third 

 or fourth shot, an oryx, badly wounded in the 

 left hind leg, suddenly wheeled out of line, 

 and came running down to where we were 

 standing. He seemed very much astonished 

 on seeing us, lay down, and allowed us to 

 take a photograph within ten feet without 

 offering to charge, something they are very 

 apt to do when wounded and at close quar- 

 ters. 



We saw a number of ostriches at long dis- 

 tance, and my syce picked up a fresh ostrich 

 egg, which Abdulla, the cook, scrambled for 

 my breakfast next morning. Though a little 

 coarse, it was fair eating; but, like the ele- 

 phant's foot, its very size, filling as it did the 

 whole frying-pan, destroyed one's appetite. 



