channels there are deep pools which, except in years 

 of drought, last all through the winter ; and these are 

 the drinking-places of the game. I followed this 

 one down for a couple of miles without any definite 

 purpose until the sight of some greener and denser 

 wild figs suggested that there might be water, and 

 perhaps a rietbuck or a duiker near by. As we reached 

 the trees Jock showed unmistakable signs of interest 

 in something, and with the utmost caution I moved 

 from tree to tree in the shady grove towards where 

 it seemed the water-hole might be. 



There were bushy wild plums flanking the grove, 

 and beyond them the ordinary scattered thorns. As 

 I reached this point, and stopped to look out between 

 the bushes on to the more open ground, a koodoo cow 

 walked quietly up the slope from the water, but before 

 there was time to raise the rifle her easy stride had 

 carried her behind a small mimosa tree. I took one 

 quick step out to follow her up and found myself face 

 to face at less than a dozen yards with a grand koodoo 

 bull. It is impossible to convey in words any real 

 idea of the scene and how things happened. Of course, 

 it was only for a fraction of a second that we looked 

 straight into each other's eyes ; then, as if by magic, 

 he was round and going from me with the overwhelm- 

 ing rush of speed and strength and weight combined. 

 Yet it is the first sight that remains with me : the 

 proud head, the huge spiral horns, and the wide soft 

 staring eyes before the wildness of panic had stricken 

 them. The picture seems photographed on eye 

 and brain, never to be forgotten. A whirlwind of 



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