202 NATURE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



grazing-grounds far across the flats, near the thick 

 bush and forest to which they can retreat upon any 

 hint of danger. The second hunter in turn takes a 

 prolonged look, and then, closing the glass, both men 

 descend from the wagon, and all is stir and bustle 

 in the camp. Breakfast has already been despatched, 

 the ponies have had their morning mealies, and two 

 of them are now saddled and bridled. Meanwhile 

 the hunters buckle on spurs, take down their rifles, 

 fasten their cartridge-belts across their shoulders, and, 

 swinging themselves eagerly into their saddles, ride 

 out on to the plain. Behind them follow three Masarwa 

 Bushmen, who have for the present cast in their lot 

 with the Englishmen. These men — the keenest 

 hunters and finest trackers in the world — conduct 

 the spooring operations, cut up the game, and live 

 for the time in a little heaven upon the veldt. To 

 them meat is more precious than gold or rubies, and 

 the advent of well-armed English hunters means days 

 of pleasure long drawn out and much feasting. 



The two mounted men first walk their ponies at 

 a good rate at a slant across the plain, so as to cut 

 off the game from the point for which they are making. 

 They are pretty quickly observed, but not until they 

 are within five hundred yards do the wildebeest take 

 alarm. Then the heavy old bull, leading the troop, 

 after a longish stare, tosses his head, whisks his long 

 black swish tail, throws up his heels, cuts a fantastic 



