HABITS OF THE CHEETAH. 67 



deer and antelopes a task for which its crafty 

 habits and active frame are well adapted. In this 

 sport, still a popular one with natives of rank, the 

 cheetah is hoodwinked by a bandage covering the 

 e}res, and is carried by his keepers in a " hackery " 

 or cart, the antelopes being generally so well 

 accustomed to the sight of these vehicles, which are 

 built of bamboo, and commonly used in the country 

 for agricultural purposes, that they will, in most 

 cases permit the hunters to approach tolerably near 

 before showing alarm. When the herd begin to 

 close up together, and appear suspicious, the cover- 

 ing is removed from the cheetah's eyes, and as soon 

 as he catches sight of the game he slips quietly to 

 the ground, on the opposite side of the cart, in 

 order to avoid been seen by the antelopes, and 

 advances at a slow crouching canter, availing him- 

 self of the shelter afforded by every bush, stone, or 

 irregularity in the ground ; while endeavouring to 

 approach in this manner, should the keen eyes of 

 the watchful antelopes be turned upon him, the 

 animal remains perfectly still, waiting till their 

 attention is removed. At last, having, perhaps, 

 approached within some twenty or thirty yards, all 

 previous caution is thrown aside, and with a few 

 bounds, swift as lightning, the cheetah launches 

 himself among the terrified herd ; alighting on the 

 selected victim (generally the leading buck), and 



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