A MORNING'S STALK AFTER BLACK BUCK 167 



Gradually my breath came back, and I ventured to raise 

 the head. My heart leapt to my mouth, and a thrill of 

 excitement and covetousness ran through me. 



There broadside on with head down, cropping the grass, 

 stood the old buck, a splendid bull's-eye, and, as far as could 

 be judged, within the stipulated fifty yards. 



Quietly I drew up the rifle, pushed it through an opening 

 in the thin bush, and brought the stock into the shoulder. 



The thought of past misses unnerved me for a moment, 

 but never had I had such a bull's-eye to fire at before. 

 Drawing a breath, I aimed at the shoulder and pulled the 

 trigger. 



The effect was instantaneous. The whole herd as one 

 bounded into the air, dropped on to their feet, and for an 

 instant stood as if turned to stone. Then they swung 

 round as one and went flying across the fields in a 

 series of most extraordinary leaps, making tracks for the 

 ravine. 



I was lost in admiration at the sight, and for the moment 

 did not even think about whether I had missed or not. 

 The marvellous jumping powers of the light graceful ante- 

 lopes held me spellbound. 



The vanguard reached the edge of the ravine and sprang 

 down into it, the youngsters taking 

 the drop as easily as the older hands. 

 Now the old buck, upon whom my 

 eyes were fixed, for some of his 

 leaps had been extraordinarily high, 

 was within twenty yards of it, 

 fifteen, ten, and then he suddenly 

 crumpled up on to the ground and 

 was seen lying struggling on his 

 side. 



The havildah's voice came to me as the man started 

 to rush across the fields. 



" He's down, sahib, he's down, reload and run and fire 

 at him again." 



The voice brought me back to reality, and jumping up 

 I started across the fields, opening the breech and jerking in 

 another cartridge from the magazine as I did so. 



I was more than half-way towards the buck, who struggled 

 still to gain his feet, before I stopped and raised the rifle. I 

 was shaking badly, but noticed that the buck had half 



