A Trip up the Abary. 109 
creek round a sharp turn, and had most probably gone into a reef which was ad- 
jacent to his landing place. We followed his tracks through the reef, and found 
him lying down just under some brushwood at the end of the reef. As soon as he 
saw us, he made a last rush, and I fired. The bullet wounds were evidently fatal 
as he went only a few yards further on, and fell dead. I found afterwards that each 
shot I fired had hit him, and one had gone right through him. This Maipurie 
was the largest seen on the trip, weighed 733 lbs., and was quite as high as a 
medium-sized donkey. 
I shall not attempt to describe all my little hunts and escapades, or give 
my total bag for the trip, as some of my sporting friends might feel in- 
clined to doubt me. I may mention, however, that a shooting excursion in the 
Abary is not a very expensive item, and a party of two or three may have a 
fortnight’s trip for about $15 to $20 per head including everything. I do not 
think any one spending that amount for the sport he will obtain will ever grudge 
having done so, or think he has wasted his time or money, but will always look 
back on it with pleasure. 
Some people will ask why the Abary creek should be better than any other 
place in the colony. It may not have more game, but you are able to see plenty 
of what it has on account of three facts ; namely, (1) it is scarcely populated— 
there is very little balata work being done in the district and the game is not 
shy ; (2) it is ideal country for grazing ; and (3) it has no Indian settlements, 
the last-named being the most important reason. 
