40 Seven Years in the Sozidan.

of its workmanship redounds to the credit of Mr. Reilly, the manufacturer. This and three other guns had been ordered by Sir Samuel Baker at the Khedive's expense. When I had occasion later on to fire at hippopotami with explosive bullets, the effect was always most terrible. In spite of its force, mj gun was not too heavy, but I had to hold it very firmly in order not to feel the shock, but not\\'ithstanding my right arm, after firing a feAV times, took all the colours of the rainbow.

The soldiers and crew came to share the booty. All the afternoon was spent in carrying pieces of buffalo on board. The meat was well-flavoured, but tough. I reserved for myself a fillet and a tongue.

Notwithstanding all our industry, a great part of the game still remained on the spot at evening, and the crew proposed to fetch the rest next day.

This was the first time I had shot large game. From childhood I had always hunted and was considered a good sportsman, but the largest game I had as yet pursued had been wild -goats and wolves, having caused great devastation among the latter in Turkey.

[ was about to go to bed, well pleased with myself, Avhen the guard called me on account of a great noise that came from the land. AVe heard terrific roaring, and, still nearer, the cries of hyenas. Xext morning early [ hastened to the spot. The flesh and bones were all devoured ; of the four buffaloes there only remained the extremities of five feet. The ground showed the imprint of three or four lions ; even the skins of the buffaloes had disappeared, excepting a part of the tail. Towards ten o'clock we left the forest, not without the intention of returning.

The next day we entered the lake, the width of which is estimated at six hundred metres, although the eye only perceives marshy land covered everywhere Avith aquatic plants. The channel became uarroAver and