FIRST BLOOD 55 the enemy, and as I pressed the trigger a second time the bush became ahve with the graceful forms, two remaining behind.

The Arabs hurried to the spot at the sound of the shots. Ibrahim, Fadl el Mullah, and Abdullah exploded with hysterics of delight, giving vent to howls and yells which conveyed the tidings of this very unextraordinary success to the camel-drivers a mile away. The throats of the animals were cut before I could get up to them. No matter how often one may tell one's shikaris, they will inevitably cut them close to the jaw if one be not present in time, and such was the case in this instance.

Fat as butter and as heavy as a man, they were soon skinned and dressed and en route for camp on a camel's back ; but the fat from the back above the tail was taken out and roasted instantly, proving not altogether untasty in this land of lean food.