146 
ON SAFARI 
night, since out there the night is very much alive— 
more so than the day. The rush of something in the 
bush, a scuffle and clatter ahead, cause a chill sensation 
to run uninvited through one’s nerves; it is probably 
only some antelope or a bush-pig, or a pack of guinea- 
fowl disturbed at roost; but it might have been a lion 
or a rhino. Along the lake-shore, from beyond the 
fringing reeds, resound the sullen grunts of the hippo, 
and horrid splashes of water recur—one cannot see 
where. 
“ From away to the left comes a long-drawn growl. 
‘Lion,’ some one whispers. 4 No,’ mutters a shikari 
in one’s ear; 4 that’s a leopard where you killed the 
waterbuck yesterday.’ 'Let’s go and see/ we reply, 
determined to let no sign of ‘ nerves ’ appear, and out 
across the moonlit veld we move. There, sure enough, 
are ghostly shadows retreating and reappearing from out 
the pall. These are scouting jackals and hyenas; and 
just beyond we see, glistening in the moon-rays, the 
white vertebrae and ribs of the waterbuck—all minor 
anatomical items already devoured or carried off. 
“ Slowly pass those long dark hours while we explore 
mile after mile of the lake-shore, examine with night- 
glasses bay after bay and infinity of calm moon-lit 
waters. Now it is time to make for our appointed posts 
ere the sun discovers us. One of us takes position on a 
reed-clad promontory, the other on some rocks a mile 
beyond. 
“ From my covert amidst sedge and flag, a typical 
African scene unfolds as the sun dispels the mists and 
mirages of the morn. First, two solitary snipes alight 
on a rocky islet close in front, stow their long bills 
along their backs, and go to sleep; a shoveler-drake, 
with lustrous green head, prods the shore with ungainly 
beak; then a pair of African mallards (Anas undulata) 
alight alongside the unnoticing snipes, preen for a 
minute, and themselves go to sleep. The drake’s near 
foot constantly slips over the narrow ledge. This for 
some time he refuses to notice, but can’t stand the 
