110 TAVETA AND MOUNTS KILIMANJARO AND MERU 



AVeary of the long delay, we started again immediately, and 

 proceeded in a north-westerly direction, up an almost impercep- 

 tibly ascending plain, towards the northern side of Kilimanjaro. 

 Groups of acacias or isolated trees of a soft green colour 

 dotted the steppe, whilst here and there rose a knotty greyish- 

 yellow ebony-tree. There were no palms, but the general 

 appearance of this natural park was extremely pleasing, 

 especially as it was tenanted by a great variety of game. 



Timid ostriches fled with great strides across the plain 

 at our approach, their quills erect to accelerate their speed, 

 whilst gazelles and larger antelopes jostled each other as they 

 gathered about us in quite a confiding manner, so that we 

 might easily have shot them as we went along. And it was 

 difficult to resist such a temptation ; so, although as a rule we 

 refrained from mixing up hunting with marching, I let the men 

 go on, and lingered in the rear behind the herd of antelopes, 

 for I felt I must secure one or two animals. But, strange to 

 relate, directly I left the track the confidence of the wild 

 creatures was destroyed. They were quick to gain wisdom 

 by experience, and in spite of all my caution they sped awaj'' 

 and were soon out of the range of my weapon. It was 

 impossible for me to reach any cover from which to take aim 

 without the alarm being given by one or another animal, and 

 before long nearly the entire herd of antelopes had dis- 

 appeared. They were succeeded, however, by a number of 

 fine zebras, who approached slowly, grazing as they came. 

 Up went my rifle again, but only with the same disappointing 

 result ; the zebras, too, disappeared in a cloud of dust. One 

 very inquisitive hartebeest had, however, lingered behind his 

 comrades, so there was still a hope of some venison. And 

 with all the patience and caution known to none but a hunter 

 once disappointed of his prey, I crept on all-fours through 

 the long grass to the friendly shelter of an acacia, feeling this 



