232 
ON SAFARI 
back, and bad it not been for a second barrel a grand 
bull gnu might perhaps have escaped.” 
It was 4 p.m. when, on returning from Nairobi, I 
rode into camp on the Stony Athi. Ali Yam a was then 
already watching a herd of 200 wildebeest assembling 
some three miles away, preparatory to coming to water. 
After a cup of coffee, we set out at once. The gnu 
in long procession, all heads held low, slowly directed 
their course riverwards. The ground was open and 
unfavourable ; hence we were still 250 yards away when 
the head of the column (unaccompanied, this time, by 
hartebeest) reached the river and descended the steep 
bank. Truly it seemed a “ soft job ” ! I had only to 
await the disappearance of the last beast, and the whole 
herd were at my disposal. But animal-instinct is not 
so simple. The astute gnus this evening left a single 
sentry on guard above, and this of course forbade my 
going in. In the result I was obliged to accept the long- 
range shot—declined before—as they left the water, and 
secured a fair bull with 22-in. head. 
The following day, further up the river, another 
chance was presented—the gnu being this time piloted 
by a single hartebeest as described; but it clearly 
evidences the tense keenness of their instincts that, on 
the third day, not a single wildebeest came to water, 
whether up or down river ! The chance was over, but 
with eight splendid specimens we were content. 
January 31.—Returning to the standing-camp this 
morning, I got another grand wildebeest bull (the ninth) 
in this way. We were moving forward in parallel valleys 
about two miles apart, W——, I observed, pushing 
before him a crowd of kongoni, with this single big gnu 
in company. Presently the kongoni, hundreds strong, 
wheeled towards me, and began streaming across the 
ridge on my front; when, aided by slightly favouring 
ground, I got well forward and awaited the gnu; along 
he came with his prancing gallop, but on seeing many 
kongoni (which had already passed me, and were in 
