246 A HUNTER'S WANDERINGS ch. 



the old ones ; indeed, sometimes when I made a spurt 

 in the hope of cutting them off, they passed their 

 dam at greyhound speed, and appeared in the van 

 of the herd. At last, disgusted and disappointed, I 

 pulled up in mercy to my horse, which I felt had 

 had enough of it. After off-saddHng for a short 

 time, I then rode in the direction of the waggon-road, 

 and had just emerged from the bush upon a large 

 opening, from whence I could see the line of dark 

 thorn trees that marked the course of the river 

 Tati, when my attention was attracted by something 

 behind a bush about 300 yards distant, which 

 looked very like the ears and horns of some animal 

 gazing in my direction. Riding slowly forwards, my 

 suspicions were soon confirmed, for a noble old roan 

 antelope bull trotted out a few yards from the shelter 

 of the bush, turned and stared at me for an instant, 

 and then with a whisk of his tail cantered away, 

 followed by about ten others that had been lying 

 down behind the bushes, whilst the bull apparently 

 kept on the look-out for danger. For an instant, 

 thinking of the hard run my horse had just had, I 

 hesitated whether or no to pursue ; but as Bottle on 

 sighting the game cocked his ears, raised his head, 

 and altogether seemed anxious for the sport, I deter- 

 mined to have a short run and endeavour to secure 

 a good head. Riding at a hand gallop, I was soon 

 close behind them ; and as the bull that brought up 

 the rear of the herd turned to see what was behind 

 him, I jumped off", and gave him a shot just as he 

 was galloping away. Before I could again get within 

 shot they entered a patch of thick bush. Through 

 this they went but slowly, and in an open glade just 

 beyond the whole herd came to a halt and faced 

 about, so that as I burst suddenly from the thick 



