2o6 GRACEFUL AFRICAN ANTELOPES 



elephant when a herd of unusually dark-looking antelopes attracted 

 observation in a neighboring valley. Reconnoitering them with a 

 pocket telescope from the acclivity on which we stood, I at once 

 exclaimed that they were perfectly new to science; and having 

 announced my determination of pursuing them, if requisite, to the 

 world's end, I dashed down the slope, followed by the derision of the 

 Hottentots for my unsportsmanlike attentions to an 'ugly buck,' one 

 specimen of which, however, I assured them 1 would rather have 

 possessed than all the elephants in Africa!" It may be stated that 

 this ardent sportsman's desire was gratified after three days of tire- 

 some trailing by the securing of a fine buck of the species. The reader 

 would readily understand the enthusiasm of the hunter could he see 

 this splendid antelope in his native wilds. The height at the shoulder 

 blades is about four feet six inches and the extreme length nearly nine 

 feet. The horns are flat and upwards of three feet in length, sweeping 

 gracefully over the back in the form of a crescent. A bushy mane 

 extends from the chestnut colored ears to the middle of the back. The 

 tail is long, black in color and tufted. The glossy jet black hue of the 

 greater portion of the 1)ody contrasts beautifully with a snow white 

 face and liclly. 



The Roan Antelope. — Another nuich sought species is the 

 roan antelope or bastard gemsbok. Hunters and explorers usually 

 agree that they are to be found chiefly on the ridges about the source 

 of some rivers. This imposing animal is one of the largest members of 

 the antelope family, being about the size of a large horse, but it has 

 so little speed that it may be ridden down without any great difficulty, 

 provided the ground permits of such a method. However, when it is 

 unable to continue its flight it charges viciously as a rule, and the 

 pursuer must be both a clever horseman and a good shot to avoid a 

 serious encounter, with the chances in favor of his being left hors-de- 

 couibat on the field. 



Except for the head and tail, wln'ch are jet black, the coat is 

 uniformly of a delicate roan color. The animal is heavilv built and 

 has an upright mane, long asinine ears, and strong scimitar-shaped, 

 recurved horns, about two feet in length and having from twenty-five 

 to thirty prominent rings. The head, though its prevailing color is 



