arranging
an expedition after big game, and they agreed to go together. He told me
that Haddo was a marvellous shot and a hunter of exceptional ability.
Burkhardt had been rather suspicious of a man who boasted so much of his
attainments, but was obliged soon to confess that he boasted of nothing
unjustly. Haddo has had an extraordinary experience, the truth of which
Burkhardt can vouch for. He went out alone one night on the trail of
three lions and killed them all before morning with one shot each. I know
nothing of these things, but from the way in which Burkhardt spoke, I
judge it must be a unique occurrence. But, characteristically enough, no
one was more conscious than Haddo of the singularity of his feat, and he
made life almost insufferable for his fellow-traveller in consequence.
Burkhardt assures me that Haddo is really remarkable in pursuit of big
game. He has a sort of instinct which leads him to the most unlikely
places, and a wonderful feeling for country, whereby he can cut across,
and head off animals whose spoor he has noticed. His courage is very
great. To follow a wounded lion into thick cover is the most dangerous
proceeding in the world, and demands the utmost coolness. The animal
invariably sees the sportsman before he sees it, and in most cases
charges. But Haddo never hesitated on these occasions, and Burkhardt
could only express entire admiration for his pluck. It appears that he is
not what is called a good sportsman. He kills wantonly, when there can be
no possible excuse, for the mere pleasure of it; and to Burkhardt's
indignation frequently shot beasts whose skins and horns they did not
even trouble to take. When antelope were so far off that it was
impossible to kill them, and the approach of night made it useless to
follow, he would often shoot, and leave a wretched wounded beast to die
by inches. His selfishness was extreme, and he never shared any
information with his friend that might rob him of an uninterrupted
pursuit of game. But notwithstanding all this, Burkhardt had so high an
opinion of Haddo's general capacity and of his resourcefulness that, when
he was arranging his journey in Asia, he asked him to come also. Haddo
consented, and it appears that Burkhardt's book gives further proof, if
it is needed, of the man's extraordinary qualities. The German confessed
that on more than one occasion he owed his life to Haddo's rare power
of seizing opportunities. But they quarrelled at las