276 THE GEMSBOK AND THE LION. 



natives for the capture of wild animals. The gemsbok, it is 

 true, is found in the most dreary and desolate districts far 

 distant from water : 



" A region of drought, where no river glides, 

 Nor rippling brook with osier'd sides — 

 With no reedy pool, nor mossy fountain. 

 Nor sliady tree, nor cloud-caiDp'd mountain." 



Nevertheless (more especially at early morn), it occasionally 

 frequenta^the banks of periodical rivers, flanked or bordered 

 by broken ground or hills ; and it is to such localities, when 

 pursued, that it flies for refuge. 



Though the gemsbok has rai'ely, if ever, been known to 

 attack man, it is quite capable of defending itself. With its 

 formidable horns it can strike an object (that is, inflict 

 wounds) in front as well as behind, which, from their point- 

 ing backward, was hardly to be expected. When driven to 

 bay by dogs, it has been seen to place its head between its 

 legs (the tips of its horns, in the while, almost resting on the 

 ground), and to rip open, or toss into the air, such of its as- 

 sailants as have had the boldness to confront it. In this 

 manner Hans told me he lost, at different times, the best dogs 

 in his pack. 



In open ground, the gemsbok, it is said, will stand on the 

 defensive even against the lion himself. Hans, indeed, knew 

 an instance where a lion and a gemsbok w^ere found lying 

 dead in each other's grasp, the latter having, with his horns, 

 transfixed his assailant ! The carcasses of the two were dis- 

 covered before decomposition had taken place. The lion 

 seems to have a great dread of the horns of the gemsbok; 

 for, by all accounts, he rarely ventures to attack except by 

 stealth. 



The horns of this animal are used by the natives for a va- 

 riety of purposes. When polished, they form strong and 

 handsome walking-sticks. The flesh, which is well tasted, is 

 highly prized. 



