70 SPORT BY THE RIVER down wind to the other, and wait for flames to drive out the buffalo, whose tracks evidence his very recent presence and probable hiding-place. The notes of most hunters probably contain more records of game which they did not successfully stalk than of that brought back to camp ; but in all sport the same story is told, and at the end of a season one feels that, after all, blanks and disappointments go to make keener the pleasurable recollection of rewards hard earned. So, if the buffalo did not appear, there was the joy of marking the clean leap of the reed-buck or oribi, the careful stroll of ariel or waterbuck feeding on the edges of mayas (swamps dried up at this season), the new spoor of elephant on grass-land burnt but yesterday, or the hyaena slinking away in the distance.

"Malesh" (Never mind) one mutters, and gravitates nearer to the peace of mind enjoyed by him who has secured all the trophies which his heart desires, in whom the instinct of the chase has died down, and who may await the appearance of wild creatures with the calm interest of a naturalist and student. Many a time and oft has the absence of a striking head of horns given me the opportunity of laying aside the rifle to give myself up to admiration of the " bonnie beasties " which it seems heartless to slay, here living, watchful ever, in the beauty of freedom.

The hippopotami deserted their pool that night.

Their tracks were plainly visible in the black cotton soil, and were lost in the harder ground farther in