CHAPTER XII 
BUFFALO 
Arabic— Gamoos 
Buffalo I had not specially included in my Sudan 
programme or ambitions. That was partly because I 
already possessed specimens, but far more because 
previous experiences had taught me that any systematic 
pursuit of these great bovines involves a certainty of 
hard work and endurance that tests physical powers to 
the utmost. These, in one’s seventh decade, it is wise 
to economise, especially under a tropical sun. Should 
luck or chance throw buffalo across my path, well and 
good ; but with such hazard I had resolved to content 
myself. The marked difference between the buffaloes 
of Central Africa and those of the Sudan of course 
I knew quite well. Now that trophies of both hang 
before me, I am half-inclined to award the palm to the 
latter type. 
At various points both in Kordofan and to the east 
of White Nile we had struck fresh buffalo spoor; but 
though often following the track for considerable distances, 
had never been rewarded by a vision of coal-black hides 
ahead. Sometimes a burning spoor led right through 
the forest and out into open veld beyond. When this 
veld was bounded by further forest that looked not more 
than a mile or two away, we persevered. But on each 
occasion the tireless hoof-prints held on—on—on—never 
did we succeed in overhauling them. Though blank 
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