ROOSEVELT HUNTS ANIMALS OF DARK CONTINENT 413 



what were these few species to the immense variety of African game 

 animals, and what their nmnbers to the endless swarms of antelopes 

 and various other strange creatures to be found on the East African 

 hunting grounds, where the American hunters now found themselves ? 



Hardly a day did they go abroad without astonishment at the 

 multitude of life surrounding them. The great herbivora — the ele- 

 phant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus — were comparatively rare, while 

 the skulking, night-hunting lion and leopard were rarely in evidence 

 except when specially sought ; but the very many and often very beau- 

 tiful species of antelopes, the swift zebra and lofty giraffe were rarely 

 wanting, some species of them haunting the plains in extraordinary 

 multitudes. Mr. Roosevelf gives abundant testimony to the vast num- 

 bers of these animals. While one day in ambush near Heatly's ranch 

 he saw swarming herds, each of them hundreds in number, of zebras 

 and hartebeests sweeping past his covert. These came on at an easy 

 lope, the hartebeest (known also as the red kangoni and as the caama) 

 running with their mouths open. This odd custom was usual with 

 them, but the zebras opened their mouths only to neigh. 



He could have brought down dozens of these animals if his pur- 

 pose had been merely to make a score of useless murders, but as he 

 already had the specimens of these species that he needed and as the 

 camp was fully supplied with meat, he let them pass unharmed. A true 

 sportsman, he was very little given to shoot for the mere purpose of 

 killing, and preferred to keep his bullets for the kind of game that was 

 a peril to the country, the death of which might save human life. 



Thus when a fine ostrich passed him within easy rifle range he 

 forbore to shoot, on the mental plea that ostrich farming was becom- 

 ing an industry of that region. On the day in question the chief game 

 got by him consisted of wart-hogs, which were plentiful, feeding on 

 the open plain. After several failures, he succeeded in bringing down 

 a good-sized boar, while Kermit got a sow with unusually long tusks. 

 This he chased on horseback for about two miles and shot from the 

 saddle as he galloped past, pulling trigger without bringing the piece 

 to his shoulder. 



In regard to the other species of animals seen by Colonel Roose- 

 velt in his hunting excursion, we must speak again of the great variety 



