Hunting in Many Lands 



steadily in our direction. I decided, knowing 

 that they were making for the water, and to 

 reach it must pass close under where we lay 

 concealed, to allow a certain number of them to 

 pass before we opened fire. This plan worked 

 perfectly. The animals in front slackened 

 pace when they came to within fifty yards of 

 us, and those behind pressed on and mingled 

 with those in front. The effect to the eye was 

 charming. The bright tan-colored skins of the 

 hartbeest shone out in pleasing contrast to the 

 dark gray wildbeest. Had I not been so 

 young, and filled with youth's thirst for blood, 

 I should have been a harmless spectator of this 

 beautiful procession. But this was not to be. 

 On catching sight of the water, the animals 

 quickened their pace, and in a moment nearly 

 half of the mass had passed our hiding-place. 

 A silent signal, and the .450 and the Winches- 

 ter, fired in quick succession, changed this 

 peaceful scene into one of consternation and 

 slaughter. Startled out of their senses, the 

 beasts at first halted in their tracks, and then 

 wheeling, as if at word of command, they 

 dashed rapidly up wind — those in the rear re- 

 ceiving a second volley as they galloped by. 

 When the dust cleared away, we saw lying 



40 



