GAME RESTRICTIONS ON NATIVES 67 hit, separated from the fleeting herd and awaited our oncoming. One charged determinedly with head outstretched as we drew close, but fell to a second shot before getting 10 yards nearer.

Natives are under very special restrictions in regard to the killing of game, but are necessarily exempted from punishment when they can show that they have acted in defence of their crops or their lives.

They may employ no firearm even if licensed to kill game, but subject to this may hunt any of the animals and birds which are not specially protected, as are the ostrich and others. On the other hand, a special licence may be granted which empowers them to kill these animals, a right which is denied the white man.

These hmitations are in truth very hberal, and yet exceedingly necessary ; otherwise it would be almost futile, in the preservation of game, to place restrictions on the comparatively small number of alien sportsmen, if hordes of natives with the increased facilities of the European had caite blanche. Naturally, in a vast area where officials are few, and many thousands of square miles have scarcely seen a white man, it is to be expected that complete enforcement of these regulations is by no means possible. The cutting up of that hippo occupied the remaining hours of the day, and it was marvellous with what celerity the tough skin, an inch and a quarter thick, was taken off" and cut into strips for converting eventually into the kurbash, or whip. I 5—2