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The going was very thick； naturally； and we could not see very far ahead。 Our object was not now to try for a bull； but merely to find where the herd was feeding； in order that we might wait for it to come out。 However； we were brought to a stand； in the middle of a jungle of green leaves； by the cropping sound of a beast grazing just the other side of a bush。 We could not see it； and we stood stock still in the hope of escaping discovery ourselves。 But an instant later a sudden crash of wood told us we had been seen。 It was near work。 The gunbearers crouched close to me。 I held the heavy double gun ready。 If the beast had elected to charge I would have had less than ten yards within which to stop it。 Fortunately it did not do so。 But instantly the herd was afoot and off at full speed。 A locomotive amuck in a kindling pile could have made no more appalling a succession of rending crashes than did those heavy animals rushing here and there through the thick woody growth。 We could see nothing。 Twice the rush started in our direction； but stopped as suddenly as it had begun； to be succeeded by absolute stillness when everything； ourselves included； held its breath to listen。 Finally； the first panic over； the herd started definitely away downstream。 We ran as fast as we could out of the jungle to a commanding position on the hill。 Thence we could determine the course of the herd。 It continued on downstream as far as we could follow the sounds in the convolutions of the hills。 Realizing that it would improbably recover enough from its alarmed condition to resume its regular habits that day； we returned to camp。
Next morning Memba Sasa and I were afield before daylight。 We took no other men。 In hunting I am a strong disbeliever in the common habit of trailing along a small army。 It is simple enough； in case the kill is made； to send back for help。 No matter how skilful your men are at stalking； the chances of alarming the game are greatly increased by numbers； while the possibilities of misunderstanding the plan of campaign； and so getting into the wrong place at the wrong time； are infinite。 Alone； or with one gunbearer； a man can slip in and out a herd of formidable animals with the least chances of danger。 Merely going out after camp meat is of course a different matter。
We did not follow in the direction taken by the herd the night before； but struck off toward the opposite side of the valley。 For two hours we searched the wooded country at the base of the cliff mountains； working slowly around the circle； examining every inlet； ravine and gully。 Plenty of other sorts of game we saw； including elephant tracks not a half hour old； but no buffalo。 About eight o'clock； however； while looking through my glasses； I caught sight of some tiny chunky black dots crawling along below the mountains diagonally across the valley； and somewhat over three miles away。 We started in that direction as fast as we could walk。 At the end of an hour we surmounted the last swell； and stood at the edge of a steep drop。 Immediately below us flowed a good…sized stream through a high jungle over the tops of which we looked to a triangular gentle slope overgrown with scattered bushes and high grass。 Beyond this again ran another jungle； angling up hill from the first； to end in a forest of trees about thirty or forty acres in extent。 This jungle and these trees were backed up against the slope of the mountain。 The buffaloes we had first seen above the grove： they must now have sought cover among either the trees or the lower jungle； and it seemed reasonable that the beasts would emerge on the grass and bush area late in the afternoon。 Therefore Memba Sasa and I selected good comfortable sheltered spots； leaned our backs against rocks； and resigned ourselves to long patience。 It was now about nine o'clock in the morning； and we could not expect our game to come out before half past three at earliest。 We could not； however； go away to come back later because of the chance that the buffaloes might take it into their heads to go travelling。 I had been fooled that way before。 For this reason； also； it was necessary； every five minutes or so； to examine carefully all our boundaries； lest the beasts might be slipping away through the cover。
The hours passed very slowly。 We made lunch last as long as possible。 I had in my pocket a small edition of Hawthorne's 〃The House of the Seven Gables；〃 which I read； pausing every few minutes to raise my glasses for the periodical examination of the country。 The mental focussing back from the pale gray half light of Hawthorne's New England to the actuality of wild Africa was a most extraordinary experience。
Through the heat of the day the world lay absolutely silent。 At about half…past three； however； we heard rumblings and low bellows from the trees a half mile away。 I repocketed Hawthorne； and aroused myself to continuous alertness。
The ensuing two hours passed more slowly than all the rest of the day； for we were constantly on the lookout。 The buffaloes delayed most singularly； seemingly reluctant to leave their deep cover。 The sun dropped behind the mountains； and their shadow commenced to climb the opposite range。 I glanced at my watch。 We had not more than a half hour of daylight left。
Fifteen minutes of this passed。 It began to look as though our long and monotonous wait had been quite in vain； when； right below us； and perhaps five hundred yards away； four great black bodies fed leisurely from the bushes。 Three of them we could see plainly。 Two were bulls of fair size。 The fourth； half concealed in the brush； was by far the biggest of the lot。
In order to reach them we would have to slip down the face of the hill on which we sat； cross the stream jungle at the bottom； climb out the other side； and make our stalk to within range。 With a half hour more of daylight this would have been comparatively easy； but in such circumstances it is difficult to move at the same time rapidly and unseen。 However； we decided to make the attempt。 To that end we disencumbered ourselves of all our extras…lunch box； book； kodak； glasses； etc。…and wormed our way as rapidly as possible toward the bottom of the hill。 We utilized the cover as much as we were able； but nevertheless breathed a sigh of relief when we had dropped below the line of the jungle。 We wasted very little time crossing the latter； save for precautions against noise。 Even in my haste； however； I had opportunity to notice its high and austere character； with the arching overhead vines； and the clear freedom from undergrowth in its heart。 Across this cleared space we ran at full speed； crouching below the grasp of the vines； splashed across the brook and dashed up the other bank。 Only a faint glimmer of light lingered in the jungle。 At the upper edge we paused； collected ourselves； and pushed cautiously through the thick border…screen of bush。
The twilight was just fading into dusk。 Of course we had taken our bearings from the other hill； so now； after reassuring ourselves of them； we began to wriggle our way at a great pace through the high grass。 Our calculations were quite accurate。 We stalked successfully； and at last； drenched in sweat； found ours