In a few minutes after the signal, a long line of separate thin pillars
of smoke ascended into the blue sky, forming a band extending over about
two miles of the horizon.
The thin pillars rapidly thickened, and became dense volumes, until at
length they united, and formed a long black cloud of smoke that drifted
before the wind over the bright yellow surface of the high grass.
The natives were so thoroughly concealed, that no one would have
supposed that a human being beside ourselves was in the neighbourhood. I
had stuck a few twigs into the top of the ant-hill to hide my cap; and
having cut out a step in the side for my feet at the required height, I
waited in patience.
The wind was brisk, and the fire travelled at about four miles an hour.
We could soon hear the distant roar, as the great volume of flame shot
high through the centre of the smoke.
The natives had also lighted the grass a few hundred yards in our rear.
Presently I saw a slate-coloured mass trotting along the face of the
opposite slope, about 250 yards distant. I quickly made out a
rhinoceros, and I was in hopes that he was coming towards me. Suddenly
he turned to my right, and continued along the face of the inclination.
Some of the beautiful leucotis antelope now appeared and cantered
towards me, but halted when they approached the stream, and listened.
The game understood the hunting as well as the natives.
