86 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
searchlight, and hope seems to peter out . . . suddenly 
and inexplicably the wrapt attention of the whole herd 
ahead appears diverted; some vagrant pre-occupation 
arrests their vigilance. With heads held low, some stroll 
aimlessly ; others stand inert; none are watching ; all are 
bemused. For the hunter who has eyes to see, this is a 
decisive moment. Instantly and almost in full view—ere 
the momentary hallucination pass—he risks an advance 
that, till then, would have been certainly fatal. Now 
the obstacle is safely passed—the rest is easy. Such 
“lapses,” naturally, may not synchronise with a hunter’s 
necessities ; nor be relied upon at any time. It involves, 
moreover, the closest observation to recognise the chance 
—a sort of appreciation of what is passing in the minds of 
the game—as otherwise a fiasco must result. 
Half a dozen episodes of actual field-work with tiang 
—such as those which follow (were only the pen inspired, 
which it is not)—should convey a more effective insight 
into the ways and daily lives of these and other wild 
creatures, than reams of written words. 
TIANG-STALKING 
(i) Sobat River, February ist 
Dawn revealed four tiang some 600 yards away on 
the south bank. We landed at once, but a chance native, 
passing by, moved the game. Beyond, on open prairie, 
fed a second herd of thirty, and all now grazed away 
together towards forest a mile distant. That covert 
offering better access, by a long encircling detour we 
gained its shelter, and speedily arrived opposite the spot 
where the united herds grazed, 300 yards out in the open. 
The outermost trees grew thin and scattered. I therefore 
crawled forward alone towards a triple bushy trunk that 
offered the best cover; but by evil chance, when within 
60 yards of that objective, a bushbuck doe obtruded its 
unwelcome form straight ahead and stood on gaze. Not 
