54 BEASTS AND MEN 
water. Away in the distance there rises from the glassy 
water the uncouth head of a crocodile—or is it only a sand- 
bank? It is already becoming hot, and the air is humming 
with myriads of insects. In our station, situated not far from 
the river-bank, life is beginning to stir. 
The enclosure or seriba in which our station is settled is 
surrounded by a large fence made of branches of trees, and 
has only one entrance, which is carefully stopped by thorn 
branches. Within the enclosure are huts, built of straw, for 
the Europeans and their black servants, as also stalls for the 
animals that are captured, and some stores of food-supply. 
The fires which were lighted in various parts of the seriba to 
frighten away wild animals have long ago gone out, and now 
the working-day is about to begin in earnest. 
My hunters had arrived only the day before, and every- 
thing was pleasure and excitement. The whites, who knew 
the language, greeted their black friends with heartfelt 
warmth ; and on both sides presents were liberally exchanged. 
Those given by the blacks consisted of fatted sheep, fowls, 
eggs, honey and other forms of delicacies, which the whites 
amply repaid by goods dear to the black man’s heart. Soa 
great feast had to take place, at which such of the presents as 
were edible were eaten—for the most part by the donors 
themselves. This was followed by war-dances and sham- 
fights with lances, swords and shields, accompanied by drums 
and shrieks; while the women indulged in graceful group- 
dances, amid much clapping of hands and beating of drums. 
Camel- and horse-racing were the most important items of the 
entertainment ; and conviviality was carried far into the night, 
by the light of the laager fire. 
By the next morning everything has settled down, and 
business commences in earnest. Crowds of curious natives 
collect around the camp, many of them in search of employ- 
ment as hunters. . Hunting cavalcades are engaged, receive 
their directions, are equipped with arms and ammunition, and 
sent off in various directions. 
