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At a little before 5 A。M。 I started on my solitary but powerful horse；
〃Jamoos；〃 accompanied by Lieutenant Baker and Colonel Abd…el…Kader； with
a few soldiers of 〃The Forty〃。 Gimoro and Shooli； who were renowned
hunters； were always with me when shooting。 These excellent men had an
extraordinary affection for each other； and they were well known as
inseparablesthe one was rarely seen without the other。
Descending the rocky terrace from the station at Fatiko； we were at once
in the lovely； park…like glades； diversified by bold granite rocks；
among which were scattered the graceful drooping acacias in clumps of
dense foliage。
Crossing the clear； rippling stream； we clambered up the steep bank on
the opposite side； and； after a ride of about a mile and a half； we
gained the water…shed； and commenced a gradual descent towards the west。
We were now joined by numerous people； both men； women and children； all
of whom were bent upon the hunt。
The men carried their nets and spears； the boys were also armed with
lighter weapons； and the very little fellows carried tiny lances； all of
which had been carefully sharpened for the expected game。
The women were in great numbers； and upon that day the villages were
quite deserted。 Babies accompanied their mothers； strapped upon their
backs with leathern bands； and protected from the weather by the usual
tortoise…like coverings of gourd…shells。 Thus it may be imagined that
the Shooli tribe were born hunters； as they had accompanied the public
hunts from their earliest infancy。
My two boys； Saat and Bellaal； carried spare guns。 These fine strong
lads always attended me； and they had become useful gun…bearers。 They
were both plucky fellows。 Little Amarn had been suffering for more than
twelve months from an ulcerated leg； therefore he was spared from
unnecessary fatigue； and was the pet boy at home。
As we proceeded； the number of natives increased； but there was no noise
or loud talking。 Every one appeared thoroughly to understand his duties。
Having crossed the beautiful Un…y…Ame river； we entered the game
country。 Extensive prairies； devoid of forest； now stretched before us
in graceful undulations to the base of distant mountains。 The country
was watered by numerous clear streams； all of which drained into the
main channel of the Un…y…Ame river； that became a roaring torrent
during the wet season。
We now left the Fabbo path and struck off to our left for several miles；
over ground that had been cleared by burning； which showed in many
directions the crimson fruit of the wild ginger； growing half…exposed
from the earth。 This is a leathery； hard pod； about the size of a
goose…egg； filled with a semi…transparent pulp of a subacid flavour；
with a delicious perfume between pine…apple and lemon…peel。 It is very
juicy and refreshing； and is decidedly the best wild fruit of Central
Africa。
The natives immediately collected a quantity； and we quickly pushed
forward to the rendezvous； where； upon arrival； we found a great number
of people were collected。
A line of about a mile and a half was quickly protected by netting； and
the natives were already in position。
Each man had lashed his net to that of his neighbour and supported it
with bamboos； which were secured with ropes fastened to twisted grass。
Thus the entire net resembled a fence； that would be invisible to the
game in the high grass； until； when driven； they should burst suddenly
upon it。
The grass was as dry as straw； and several thousand acres would be fired
up to windward； which would compel the animals to run before the flames；
until they reached the netting placed a few paces in front； where the
high grass had been purposely cleared to resist the advance of the fire。
Before each section of net； a man was concealed both within and without；
behind a screen； simply formed of the long； grass tied together at the
top。
The rule of sport decided that the proprietor of each section of netting
of twelve yards length would be entitled to all game that should be
killed within these limits； but that the owners of the manors which
formed the hunt upon that day should receive a hind leg from every
animal captured。
This was fair play； but in such hunts a breach of the peace was of
common occurrence； as a large animal might charge the net and receive a
spear from the owner of the section； after which he might break back；
and eventually be killed in the net of another hunter； which would cause
a hot dispute。
The nets had been arranged with perfect stillness； and the men having
concealed themselves； we were placed in positions on the extreme flanks
with the rifles。
Rifle…shooting was dangerous work； as the country was alive with people；
who were hidden in every direction。
I took my position behind a white…ant hill in front of a stream which
rippled in a hollow about forty yards beneath me。
Molodi had quite recovered from the wound he had received on 2nd August；
and he carried the basket that contained our luncheon。 This consisted of
three bottles of milk and a few hard…boiled eggs； with a supply of salt
and pepper。
There is nothing so good as milk for support during a long day's work；
provided it is used with water； in a proportion of one…third milk。 A
bottle of rich milk will therefore produce three bottles of wholesome
drink。 This is far preferable to the use of spirits； which are merely a
temporary stimulant； and frequently are great enemies to good
rifle…shooting。
Molodi's basket was arranged with a white napkin over the contents。 As
such a colour would attract attention； I ordered him to conceal himself
and his basket behind a neighbouring ant…hill。
Mr。 Baker was far away on my right； and Abd…el…Kader was upon the
extreme right flank。
Everything was ready； and men had already been stationed at regular
intervals about two miles to windward； where they waited with their
fire…stick for the appointed signal。
A shrill whistle disturbed the silence。 This signal was repeated at
intervals to windward。
In a few minutes after the signal； a long line of separate thin pillars
of smoke ascended into the blue sky； forming a band extending over about
two miles of the horizon。
The thin pillars rapidly thickened； and became dense volumes； until at
length they united； and formed a long black cloud of smoke that drifted
before the wind over the bright yellow surface of the high grass。
The natives were so thoroughly concealed； that no one would have
supposed that a human being beside ourselves was in the neighbourhood。 I
had stuck a few twigs into the top of the ant…hill to hide my cap； and
having cut out a step in the side for my feet at the required height； I
waited in patience。
The wind was brisk； and the fire travelled at about four miles an hour。
We could soon hear the distant roar； as the great volume of flame shot
high through the centre of the smoke。
The natives had also lighted the grass a few hundred yards in our rear。
Presently I saw a slate…coloured mass trotting along the face of the
opposite slope； about 250 yards distant。 I quickly made out a
rhinoceros； and I was in hopes that he