ADVENTURE WITH A LECHE. 459 



the consequence was that the ball, instead of piercing his 

 heart, merely smashed one of his hind legs. The animals, 

 nevertheless, were so intently engaged, that, notwithstanding 

 the report of the gun, and the wounded state of one of them 

 (he probably attributed this to his adversary), they did not 

 observe me. Throwing aside the rifle, I drew my hunting- 

 knife, and thus armed, rushed upon the combatants. Just, 

 however, as I was about to bury the fatal weapon in the 

 flank of one of the animals, they both suddenly became aware 

 of me, and fled precipitately. The wounded beast at once 

 made for the river, which was hard by, and though it was 

 running very swiftly at this point, perhaps not less than four 

 or five miles an hour, he plunged into the water. 



Not being then aware of the aquatic habits of this species 

 of antelope, I was very much astonished, and for a while 

 thought the beast would surely be carried away by the vio- 

 lence of the current and drowned. But I was soon unde- 

 ceived ; for he, struck bravely out for the opposite shore, his 

 course being marked with streaks of crimson. On gaining 

 the bank, he gave one glance behind him, shook his bloody 

 and drizzling coat, and made off. I was determined, how- 

 ever, not to be beaten ; and, as I had nothing on but a pair 

 of trowsers and a flannel shirt, I threw myself, as I was, into 

 the stream, and soon succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, 

 when I at once started in pursuit. 



In this way, swimming and wading alternately, several 

 rivulets, swamps, and dikes were crossed and recrossed ; but, 

 for a long time, the result was doubtful. At last, however, 

 the poor animal slackened his pace, staggered, and lay do^vn, 

 but again proceeded, though apparently with pain and diffi- 

 culty. Seeing this, I redoubled my exertions, and having 

 succeeded in turning him toward the Lake, I drove him right 

 into the water, which was here shallow, and where he sev- 

 eral times stuck fast in the mud. I now felt sure of m}' 

 quarry ; and, having approached sufficiently near, I seized 



