84 SPORT BY THE RIVER the species, save in the deep-implanted instinct maternal, or the loneliness on the death of a mate, again egotistic, is rarely in evidence. Even man's best friend, the dog, would pass a wounded brother with a sniif ; if wild, he would probably devour him.

The noblest impulse of mankind is to care for the unfortunate, to succour the disabled. AVho that has seen a wounded elephant rescued from danger by his fellows, supported on either side, can deny in this an attribute superior to every other ?

It is tempting, too, to accuse him of possessing a bump of humour. A train of donkeys once fell foul of a herd. Attention was concentrated on the loads they carried. With all the mischief of monkeys, these were torn asunder, their contents being distributed over half the province. Rumour had it that beer-bottles were found with their corks drawn, but this is believed to be either a libel or due to the expansive effect of the heat.

At Bor, on the Mountain Nile, they were at one time full of practical jokes. Passing at night-time through the village, they would knock the sleepers up by demolishing their huts above their heads, then contentedly march away.

They deem it excellent sport, too, to stroll about a native garden. Their deep-sunk footprints will make good reservoirs after the rains, and to pluck tlie dhurra plants by the roots is commendable in view of its educational effects. The African human is lazy and should be made to work, and he