SPRINGBOK SHOOTING. 231 



found my horse, who stood where I had left him, 

 more patient by far than any human being. Good 

 old Ombfale ! No better shooting horse was ever 

 saddled on South African veldt. 



Just as I was remounting, I noticed the old horse 

 looking, with cocked ears, intently into the bush on 

 his off-side. Looking that way also, I suddenly set 

 eyes on a lovely little red antelope, not thirty yards 

 away, staring fixedly at us with startled, yet 

 inquisitive gaze. I lost not a moment, but taking 

 rapid aim at the little beauty, planted a bullet just 

 behind the shoulder. The steinbok, for such it was, 

 fell dead to the shot, and with delight I rushed 

 forward to secure it. After all, thought I, I shall 

 have the laugh of my companions ; so quickly 

 disposing of the little bok behind my saddle, I 

 descended the kopje, and cantered contentedly for 

 home. The steinbok (Tragulus rupestris), eoolah of 

 the Kaffirs, is one of the smallest and most beautiful 

 of antelopes ; its favourite habitat is just such bushy, 

 stony hillocks, as that in which I had found it. It 

 stands but twenty or twenty-two inches high, is about 

 thirty-five inches in length, has sharp straight horns 

 four inches long, beautiful eyes, and a lovely reddish- 

 cinnamon coloured coat. Like the klipspringer, its 

 pasterns are very rigid. The steinbok is found every- 

 where in the Cape Colony, and, like the springbok, 

 affords good sport before the colonists' greyhounds. I 

 was not much more than half-an-hour in reaching the 

 farm, and found the others still busy at breakfast. 

 I am bound to say all were pleased at my success. 

 After a wash, I quickly joined them, and manfully 

 performed my share in the demolition of springbok 

 fry and chops, honey, coffee, and other good things. 



