ith a half hour more
of daylight this would have been comparatively easy, but in such
circumstances it is difficult to move at the same time rapidly and
unseen. However, we decided to make the attempt. To that end we
disencumbered ourselves of all our extras-lunch box, book, kodak,
glasses, etc.-and wormed our way as rapidly as possible toward the
bottom of the hill. We utilized the cover as much as we were able, but
nevertheless breathed a sigh of relief when we had dropped below the
line of the jungle. We wasted very little time crossing the latter,
save for precautions against noise. Even in my haste, however, I had
opportunity to notice its high and austere character, with the arching
overhead vines, and the clear freedom from undergrowth in its heart.
Across this cleared space we ran at full speed, crouching below the
grasp of the vines, splashed across the brook and dashed up the other
bank. Only a faint glimmer of light lingered in the jungle. At the upper
edge we paused, collected ourselves, and pushed cautiously through the
thick border-screen of bush.

The twilight was just fading into dusk. Of course we had taken our
bearings from the other hill; so now, after reassuring ourselves of
them, we began to wriggle our way at a great pace through the high
grass. Our calculations were quite accurate. We stalked successfully,
and at last, drenched in sweat, found ourselves lying flat within ten
yards of a small bush behind which we could make out dimly the black
mass of the largest beast we had seen from across the way.

Although it was now practically dark, we had the game in our own hands.
From our low position the animal, once it fed forward from behind the
single small bush, would be plainly outlined against the sky, and at ten
yards I should be able to place my heavy bullets properly, even in the
dark. Therefore, quite easy in our minds, we lay flat and rested. At the
end of twenty seconds the animal began to step forward. I levelled my
double gun, ready to press trigger the moment the shoulder appeared in
the clear. Then against the saffron sky emerged the ugly outline and two
upstanding horns of a rhinoceros!

"Faru!" I whispered disgustedly to Memba Sasa. With infinite pains we
backed out, then retreated to a safe distance. It was of course now too
late to hunt up the three genuine buffaloes of this ill-assorted group.

In fact our main necessity was to get through the river jungle before
the afterglow ha