head swung about briskly, but unalarmed ; and ears 

 and eyes were turned this way and that in easy con- 

 fidence and mild curiosity. 



With a few more steps it threaded its way close to 

 one sitting figure and round a bucket ; stepped daintily 

 over Teddy's rifle ; and passed the koodoo's head un- 

 noticed. 



It seemed to us even to us, and at the moment 

 like a scene in fairyland in which some spell held us 

 while the beautiful wild thing strolled about un- 

 frightened. 



A few yards away it stopped for perhaps a couple 

 of minutes ; its back was towards us and the fire ; 

 the silence was absolute ; and it stood thus with eyes 

 and ears for the bush alone. There was a warning 

 whisk of the white tail and it started off again this 

 time at a brisk trot and we thought it had gone ; 

 but at the edge of the clearing it once more stood and 

 listened. Now and again the ears flickered and the 

 head turned slightly one way or another, but no sound 

 came from the bush ; the out-thrust nose was raised 

 with gentle tosses, but no taint reached it on the gentle 

 breeze. 



All was well ! 



It looked slowly round, giving one long full gaze 

 back at us which seemed to be " Good-bye, and thank 

 you ! " and cantered out into the dark. 



