3 82 
ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST A EPIC A 
CHAP. 
dread the unwonted apparition. Where the inhabitants do not 
hunt, the game may be said to become partially domesticated 
to a slight degree. Deer in parks are somewhat more so ; a 
tame one becomes even offensive through excessive familiarity. 
On the other hand, cattle, left to themselves, soon get wild ; 
showing the same natural fear of the lord of creation. Where 
persecuted, animals are, I suppose, still wilder than where un¬ 
associated with mankind—though I confess I often wonder 
how little difference it seems to make to their approachability. 
It was not without a certain regret that I finally turned 
my back upon the lake. Viewed as a whole, Bassu resembles 
the Red Sea in many respects, though of course on a smaller 
scale. Its long narrow shape, barren shores, and hot dry 
climate, all remind one of that arm of the ocean ; while the 
high ground on the eastern shore to a certain extent bears out 
the comparison, and the bare rocks of Aden are not unlike the 
style of country at the southern end (though those here are 
much more broken up). But, though I had become attached 
even to this not altogether entrancing lake, when, two or three 
days later, we reached a higher level, with a colder climate, 
near the base of Mount Nyiro, I felt reconciled to the separa¬ 
tion. As we rose and entered the zone influenced by mountain 
showers, the vegetation became quickly more verdant. It was 
indeed pleasant once more to camp among fresh green leaves, 
grass, and flowers, by a cool, clear, trickling spring, and to hear 
the cheerful notes of familiar birds ; the fresh, chilly, early air 
was an invigorating treat not felt for months past, while the 
sweet, cold water seemed the most delicious beverage possible. 
Early on the 26th we got out into the high open plateau 
near the southern end of Mount Nyiro. About 6.30 I noticed 
a rhino with a big calf away to our left, under the spur or 
buttress of the mountain which forms its south-eastern corner, 
which we were just about to round. Had she remained where 
she was I should not have gone out of my way to interfere 
with her so far from our next camp, notwithstanding that we 
