we found a big Masai kraal, the inhabitants of which seemed much
astonished at our sudden appearance in their neighbourhood. They were
very friendly, however, and visited our camp in swarms an hour or so
after our arrival. Riding my pony and accompanied by Landaalu as
interpreter, and my gun-bearer Juma, I returned their call in the
afternoon, when the elmorani (warriors) gave for my entertainment an
exhibition of the gymnastic exercises which they practise regularly in
order more particularly to strengthen their legs and render them
supple. After the performance I asked if there was any game about and
was told that some might be found a few miles to the north of the
kraal; so I set out at once with Landaalu and Juma to try my luck. It
was a perfect afternoon, and no sooner had I cleared the belt of scrub
which grew round the kraal, when by the aid of my glasses I saw a herd
of zebra and other game away in the distance, feeding peacefully on the
rolling prairie. I made my way steadily towards them, and noticed as I
went that a couple of eland were gradually drawing away from the rest
of the herd. I marked these for my own, and carefully noting the
direction they were taking, I dismounted and made a detour round a rise
so as to lie in wait for them and cut them off. My plan succeeded
admirably, for the two fine animals continued to come straight towards
me without suspicion, feeding quietly by the way. When they got to
within eighty yards or so, I picked out the bigger head and was only
waiting for him to make a slight turn before pulling the trigger, when
bang went the heavy rifle of one of my companions about half a mile
away. In an instant the two eland had bounded off, and I decided not to
risk a shot, in the hope that they would soon settle down again and
give me another chance.

Mentally blessing my friend for firing at this untimely moment, I
watched them make for a belt of wood about a mile further on, hoping
against hope that they would remain on the near side of it. No such
luck, however, for they plunged into it and were quickly swallowed up
out of my sight. Running to my pony, which Landaalu had dexterously
brought up, I galloped in the direction of the spot in the trees where
the eland had disappeared; but imagine my vexation when I found that I
had to pull up sharp on the edge of a nasty-looking swamp, which at
first sight appeared too boggy and treacherous to attempt to cross. I
rode up and down it withou