106 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
surely he was the biggest—apparently dissatisfied with 
his billet, left his companions and slowly, sleepily strolled 
right across our front. His objective, it seemed clear, 
was a huge leafy shade-tree away on our left. Promptly 
the sketch-book (with pencil and india-rubber!) was 
pocketed, now the moment for action had arrived. 
The first bullet told well—a mere trifle too far back. 
With drooping muzzle the stricken beast strode a few yards 
and stood beneath a flat-topped thorn. At the second 
shot he dropped from view. Our success now appeared 
complete; yet an episode typical of Africa was to follow. 
I need not further emphasise the helplessness that results 
from speechlessness. No sooner was the big bull down 
than away dashed Baraka, calling on me to follow. For 
ten seconds I forgot that the primary idea engrained on 
savage mind is ever to kill the lot. Obsessed by that 
primeval instinct, and regardless of the fallen prize (which 
he doubtless thought was finished), my good shikari sped 
away after the main herd, still standing in view among 
open forest 400 yards away. Not understanding either 
his tongue or his tactics, I followed. Mad ? Admitted ; 
but quickly the level mind was recovered when, within 
brief seconds, I saw in motion the horns of the big 
roan bull. Already he was on an even keel once more 
and strenuously struggling to regain his legs. A third 
bullet at junction of neck and shoulder finally terminated 
his career. 
This roan was altogether a bigger-bodied beast than 
the bull previously shot at Meshra-el-Zeraf, standing 62 
inches at the shoulder and going, by estimation, every 
bit of 700 lb. deadweight. His pelt was very shaggy, 
but paler and less rufous than those of either of that pair. 
Oh, the heat of that afternoon and the tortures we 
endured from thirst! By half-past four o’clock we 
regained the river and spent the two remaining hours 
watching and awaiting the appearance of our smart friend, 
the harnessed bushbuck, of yester night. But, although 
