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Our Despatches from the Front (No. 142).

7th June 1917, Page 18
7th June 1917
Page 18
Page 18, 7th June 1917 — Our Despatches from the Front (No. 142).
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A Motor Lorry in the Wilds of East Africa.

M.T. EXPERIENCES IN E. AFRICA.

(Continued from page 299.)

We ,saw plenty of buck but could not get near enough to them for a shot. At 11 o'clock, however, I found myself within 100 yards of a fine gazelle. I was taking aim, when a lion and lioness sprang out of the bush, about 200 yards in front of me, and raced after the gazelle, which immediately fled. I did not wait to see what happened, as I thought it was time to clear. was.beginning to think my luck was out, when suddenly we came across some wild pigs. We both fired together at one of the young ones, and hit it all right, One bullet striking it in the head and the other in the shoulder. We carried it back to the lorries, where we skinned it and cut off some steaks. We cooked them over the fire, and the meat was nice and tender ; the next day it served as the basis of a stew. , We lived on the flesh of this wild pig for three days, waiting for the road to dry up. When this occurred, we were able to dig. the Ionics out and eventually reached our destination. The four of -us were nearly dead beat, one of the men going straight into hospital with fever, and another with dysentry.

We stayed here about two week's, living on quarter rations, that is to say, about two teaspoonfuls of flour each, two ozs. of bully, and half a spoonful of tea and one s oonful of sugar for the four of Us. The, two men were only in hospital for" five days. Whilst in these quarters, a, comrade and I were out one day with two lorries carrying rations and ammunition supplies for 300 of the South African Horse, who were about four miles from our camp. My -c ompanion's lorry became stuck in a drift, and we were unable to move it, so I sent him to walk into camp about 3.30 in the afternoon in order to get help. I expected him' back -about 5.0 with another lorry and ropes and whilst waiting for him I made, some tea and...fried some buck, enjoying a good repast. I waited until six o'clock alone, however, and then, as it was getting dark, I cleaned my rifle and pilt my ammunition ready to hand. I always carried 20 rounds of dum-dum, especially for wild beasts, as ordinary bullets go straight through them and frequently do not stop them, whilst a diun-dum bullet usually'dr ops them the first time. I had now given up hope of relief that night, so I prepared for camping-out where I was, not a very nice prospect in a place like German East Africa. I had just put by coat on to settle for the. night when I heard the bushes cracking,

followed by a roar resembling that of the lion. I was up and ready for him before you could count two, but the beast did not show himself. A few seconds later I could. hear two or three more prowling round about ten 'yards from the road, so, I got up on the lorry and fixed my bayonet, as I tlxitight if one were to spring out at me, I might miss him with a bullet but would catch him with the bayonet.' All night they were prowling around and could, hear them grunting and snivelling. They crossed the road several times, about 50 yards further sup, but I did not fire, as I thought it was best to leave them to themselves. rlad it been daylight, I should certainly have tried to get in a shot, but it was so dark that I cotild not see clearly. About 5.30, as daw'ri broke, they cleared off, and then I had some breakfast, the principal dish being bread and jam.

As I sat' down a cheetah came out about 200 yards away from me, so I reached for my rifle, took careful aim, and let go. The animal sprang in the air and dropped. watched a few seconds to see if he moved, 'but as he did not do so, I -went up closer to him. When I got about 25 yards away I could see his eye blinking, so I put in another shot, and' that evidently ended him. Cheetahs and leopards have a nasty habit of acting death when " they ,are only wounded, and when you get up close to them, they spring on you unawares, This one, however, was dead'as a door nail, the last shot having gone in just behind the ear and through the head. The beast was about nine feet from bead to the tip of his tail, and it took me about 1k hours"to skin him. I had just finished this operation whena relief lorry came along, and, having unbogged the other, we returned to camp.

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