HUNTING IN THE SOTIK 
183 
After leaving the dead rhinos we rode for several miles, 
over a plain dotted with game, and took our lunch at 
the foot of a big range of hills, by a rapid little brook, run¬ 
ning under a fringe of shady thorns. Then we rode back 
to camp. Lines of zebra filed past on the horizon. Os¬ 
triches fled while we were yet far off. Topi, hartebeest, 
wildebeest, and gazelle gazed at us as we rode by, the sun¬ 
light throwing their shapes and colors into bold relief 
against the parched brown grass. I had an hour to my¬ 
self after reaching camp, and spent it with Lowell’s '‘Es¬ 
says.” I doubt whether any man takes keener enjoyment 
in the wilderness than he who also keenly enjoys many 
other sides of life; just as no man can relish books more 
than some at least of those who also love horse and rifle 
and the wincjs that blow across lonely plains and through 
the gorges of the mountains. 
Next morning a lion roared at dawn so near camp that 
we sallied forth after him. We did not find him, but we 
enjoyed our three hours’ ride through the fresh air before 
breakfast, with the game as usual on every hand. Some 
of the game showed tameness, some wildness, the difference 
being not between species and species, but between given 
individuals of almost every species. While we were ab¬ 
sent two rhinos passed close by camp, and stopped to stare 
curiously at it; we saw them later as they trotted away, but 
their horns were not good enough to tempt us. 
At a distance the sunlight plays pranks with the color¬ 
ing of the animals. Cock ostriches always show jet black, 
and are visible at a greater distance than any of the com¬ 
mon game; the neutral tint of the hens making them far 
less conspicuous. Both cocks and hens are very wary. 
