the land of footprints-第10节
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For the first time I experienced a sensation I was destined many times to repeat…that of the sheer size of the animals。 Menagerie rhinoceroses had been of the smaller Indian variety； and in any case most menagerie beasts are more or less stunted。 These two； facing us； their little eyes blinking； looked like full…grown ironclads on dry land。 The moment we stood erect B。 fired at the larger of the two。 Instantly they turned and were off at a tearing run。 I opened fire； and B。 let loose his second barrel。 At about two hundred and fifty yards the big rhinoceros suddenly fell on his side； while the other continued his flight。 It was all over…very exciting because we got excited； but not in the least dangerous。
The boys were delighted； for here was meat in plenty for everybody。 We measured the beast； photographed him； marvelled at his immense size； and turned him over to the gunbearers for treatment。 In half an hour or so a long string of porters headed across the hills in the direction of camp； many miles distant； each carrying his load either of meat； or the trophies。 Rhinoceros hide； properly treated； becomes as transparent as amber； and so from it can be made many very beautiful souvenirs； such as bowls； trays； paper knives； table tops； whips； canes； and the like。 And； of course； the feet of one's first rhino are always saved for cigar boxes or inkstands。
Already we had an admiring and impatient audience。 From all directions came the carrion birds。 They circled far up in the heavens； they shot downward like plummets from a great height with an inspiring roar of wings； they stood thick in a solemn circle all around the scene of the kill； they rose with a heavy flapping when we moved in their direction。 Skulking forms flashed in the grass； and occasionally the pointed ears of a jackal would rise inquiringly。
It was by now nearly noon。 The sun shone clear and hot； the heat shimmer rose in clouds from the brown surface of the hills。 In all directions we could make out small gameherds resting motionless in the heat of the day； the mirage throwing them into fantastic shapes。 While the final disposition was being made of the defunct rhinoceros I wandered over the edge of the hill to see what I could see； and fairly blundered on a herd of oryx at about a hundred and fifty yards range。 They looked at me a startled instant； then leaped away to the left at a tremendous speed。 By a lucky shot； I bowled one over。 He was a beautiful beast； with his black and white face and his straight rapierlike horns nearly three feet long； and I was most pleased to get him。 Memba Sasa came running at the sound of the shot。 We set about preparing the head。
Then through a gap in the hills far to the left we saw a little black speck moving rapidly in our direction。 At the end of a minute we could make it out as the second rhinoceros。 He had run heaven knows how many miles away； and now he was returning； whether with some idea of rejoining his companion or from sheer chance； I do not know。 At any rate； here he was； still ploughing along at his swinging trot。 His course led him along a side hill about four hundred yards from where the oryx lay。 When he was directly opposite I took the Springfield and fired； not at him； but at a spot five or six feet in front of his nose。 The bullet threw up a column of dust。 Rhino brought up short with astonishment； wheeled to the left； and made off at a gallop。 I dropped another bullet in front of him。 Again he stopped； changed direction； and made off。 For the third time I hit the ground in front of him。 Then he got angry； put his head down and charged the spot。
Five more shots I expended on the amusement of that rhinoceros； and at the last had run furiously charging back and forth in a twenty…yard space； very angry at the little puffing； screeching bullets； but quite unable to catch one。 Then he made up his mind and departed the way he had come； finally disappearing as a little rapidly moving black speck through the gap in the hills where we had first caught sight of him。
We finished caring for the oryx； and returned to camp。 To our surprise we found we were at least seven or eight miles out。
In this fashion days passed very quickly。 The early dewy start in the cool of the morning； the gradual grateful warming up of sunrise； and immediately after； the rest during the midday heats under a shady tree； the long trek back to camp at sunset； the hot bath after the toilsome day…all these were very pleasant。 Then the swift falling night； and the gleam of many tiny fires springing up out of the darkness； with each its sticks full of meat roasting； and its little circle of men； their skins gleaming in the light。 As we sat smoking； we would become aware that M'ganga； the headman； was standing silent awaiting orders。 Some one would happen to see the white of his eyes； or perhaps he might smile so that his teeth would become visible。 Otherwise he might stand there an hour； and no one the wiser； for he was respectfully silent； and exactly the colour of the night。
We would indicate to him our plans for the morrow； and he would disappear。 Then at a distance of twenty or thirty feet from the front of our tents a tiny tongue of flame would lick up。 Dark figures could be seen manipulating wood。 A blazing fire sprang up； against which we could see the motionless and picturesque figure of Saa…sita （Six o'Clock）； the askari of the first night watch； leaning on his musket。 He was a most picturesque figure； for his fancy ran to original headdresses； and at the moment he affected a wonderful upstanding structure made of marabout wings。
At this sign that the night had begun； we turned in。 A few hyenas moaned； a few jackals barked： otherwise the first part of the night was silent； for the hunters were at their silent business； and the hunted were 〃layin' low and sayin' nuffin'。〃
Day after day we rode out； exploring the country in different directions。 The great uncertainty as to what of interest we would find filled the hours with charm。 Sometimes we clambered about the cliffs of the buttes trying to find klipspringers； again we ran miles pursuing the gigantic eland。 I in turn got my first rhinoceros； with no more danger than had attended the killing of B。's。 On this occasion； however； I had my first experience of the lightning skill of the first…class gunbearer。 Having fired both barrels； and staggered the beast； I threw open the breech and withdrew the empty cartridges； intending； of course； as my next move to fish two more out of my belt。 The empty shells were hardly away from the chambers； however； when a long brown arm shot over my right shoulder and popped two fresh cartridges in the breech。 So astonished was I at this unexpected apparition； that for a second or so I actually forgot to close the gun。
VII。 ON THE MARCH
After leaving the First Game Camp； we travelled many hours and miles over rolling hills piling ever higher and higher until they broke through a pass to illimitable plains。 These plains were mantled with the dense scrub； looking from a distance and from above like the nap of soft green velvet。 Here and there this scrub broke in round or oval patches of grass plain。 Great mountain ranges peered over the edge of a horizon。 Lesser mountain peaks of fantastic shapes…sheer Yosemite cliffs； single buttes； castles…had ventured singly from behind that same horizon barricade。 The course of a river was marked by a meandering line of green jungle。
It took us two days to get to that river。 Our intermediate camp was halfway down the pass。 We ousted a hundred indignant straw…coloured monkeys and twice as many baboons from the tiny flat above the water hole。 They bobbed away cursing over their shoulders at us。 Next day we debouched on the plains。 They were rolling； densely grown； covered with volcanic stones； swarming with game of various sorts。 The men marched well。 They were happy； for they had had a week of meat； and each carried a light lunch of sun…dried biltong or jerky。 Some mistaken individuals had attempted to bring along some 〃fresh〃 meat。 We found it advisable to pass to windward of these； but they themselves did not seem to mind。
It became very hot； for we were now descending to the lower elevations。 The marching through long grass and over volcanic stones was not easy。 Shortly we came out on stumbly hills； mostly rock； very dry； grown with cactus and discouraged desiccated thorn scrub。 Here the sun reflected powerfully and the bearers began to flag。
Then suddenly； without warning； we pitched over a little rise to the river。
No more marvellous contrast could have been devised。 From the blasted barren scrub country we plunged into the lush jungle。 It was not a very wide jungle； but it was sufficient。 The trees were large and variegated； reaching to a high and spacious upper story above the ground tangle。 From the massive limbs hung vines； festooned and looped like great serpents。 Through this upper corridor flitted birds of bright hue or striking variegation。 We did not know many of them by name； nor did we desire to； but were content with the impression of vivid flashing movement and colour。 Various monkeys swung； leaped and galloped slowly away before our advance； pausing to look back at us c
