04 



HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



THE ORYX. 



that the majority of the fine plumes are obtained which grace the 

 heads of the fair throughout the civilized world. 



It was now the height of summer, and every day the heat of 

 the sun was terrific, but there was generally a breeze of wind, 

 and the nights were cool. Our vley was daily decreasing, and 

 I saw that, unless we were visited by rains, it would soon be 

 no more. On the morning of the 22d I had rather an absurd 

 adventure with a porcupine, which cost me my pack-saddle, the 

 only thing of the sort I had in camp. Long before day-break I 

 saddled up, and rode north with my two after-riders and a spare 

 horse with the pack-saddle. As day dawned 1 came upon a 

 handsome old porcupine, taking his morning airing. At first 

 sight he reminded me of a badger. Unwilling to discharge my 

 rifle, as it was probable that we were in the vicinity of oryx, I 

 resolved to attempt his destruction with the thick end of my 

 " jambok," the porcupine, like the seal, being easi\y killed with a 

 blow on the nose. I jumped off' my horse, and after a short race, 

 in which I tried him with many turns, when he invariably doubled 

 back between my legs, giving me the full benefit of his bustling 



