168 LODGES IN THE WILDERNESS 



of forecasting the movements of wild animals. 



Hendrick and I had got to within about 

 three miles of the herd, and well to windward, 

 when it sighted us. It was a fairly large one, — 

 numbering about eighty head. Until the oryx 

 started running we would continue to ride dia- 

 gonally away from them, edging slightly to 

 our right and proceeding at a walking pace. 

 But I kept my head turned far enough over 

 my right shoulder to enable me to keep one 

 careful eye on the herd, which stood at gaze, 

 every head pointing northward against the wind. 



Our plans had been carefully laid. When 

 the herd started running, as it now soon would, 

 Hendrick, on his fierce black stallion, was to 

 ride due east at full gallop, so as to cut clean 

 across its course. My own actions would be 

 governed by the behaviour of the game. I was 

 anxious, if possible, to secure Andries a shot. 

 At length the herd started and Hendrick, tense 

 with desire, loosened his reins and thundered 

 away. The course of the flight was, as we ex- 

 pected, a little to the east of north. It is re- 

 markable how experience teaches one to anti- 

 cipate what game will do when disturbed. I 

 edged to my right at a moderate canter. Old 

 Prince tried to break into a gallop, but the 

 time for that was not yet. 



